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First off - I am a 49 year old new Lincoln owner and not a gearhead by any stretch of the immagination - HOWEVER, I like to work on my own cars to the extent I can.
1994 Continental, Executive
107,000 miles
New tires, brakes, AND previous owner had replaced suspension bags (compressor does NOT run constantly).
Just purchased last week for $2500, but its been sitting in my driveway ever since we drove it home.
THE PROBLEM:
1) Turn key to run and dash lights appear. And all seems right with the world.
2) Turn key to start and NOTHING. NADA. ZILCH. PLUS the dash lights go out.
3) Turn key to off and try again? This time nothing AT ALL. No dash lights, nothing.
Trying to fix this beauty myself, I've already replaced the ignition cylinder lock (the old one was loose and turnable without the key in it) and figured that was my problem. But noooo.
Then I replaced the ignition switch (the plastic box beneath the column) thinking THAT was the problem. But noooooo again.
I have repeatedly disconnected the battery between attempts at fixing and battery is at full charge (I'm certain - charged it myself). And is seems that something gets "reset" in this process because the dash lights do come back on during the "key turn procedure" that I mention above when I try between attempts and after reconnecting battery.
What the H is going on? Is there some sort of relay that is resetting?
My car is beautiful white with tan interior and a sunroof. And it does look good in the driveway, but that was not my point in buying it. Ha Ha. I bought it just last week, drove it home, parked it in my driveway, and the very next day...... the problem occurred as detailed above.
Put your heads together and help me do the detective work on figuring out W.T.H. is wrong - it's GOT to be something simple (knock on wood). I'd like to drive my new-to-me Conti.
Thanks in advance. Phil
Posted by: MichiganTeddyBear
any clicking???
there is a starter solenoid (left fender, near batt), as well as a solenoid on the starter itself. they both can fail, but you will hear clicking from them.
check your battery terminals and cables (at both ends). you may have corrosion under the insulation causing issues with the cables (it will be unseen unless you strip some insulation).
check the fuses, both under hood and in the passenger compartment.
it is normal for the dash to black out during engine start.
Posted by: 94PgherConti
Evidently a battery is NOT a battery is NOT a battery.
Especially since the one in there was for a Hyundai with only 600 or so CCA. It even showed a full charge. So I called AAA and even though I told them I was SURE it was not a battery, they hooked up a portable jumper and BINGO!. Yep. Big time egg on my face! Oh well I got new battery at Walmart for around $75 and starting now is OK! Of course THEN I had to reassemble everything I had taken apart....
She still wants to stall at start up until it warms a little though - somewhat bothersome.
Thanks MichiganTeddyBear and sorry for the advice (by the way - there was NO clicking either). At least I know now. I'll post some more pix in gallery soon (really having trouble with sizing the jpegs).
Posted by: MichiganTeddyBear
gonna bet it may have been a combo of the battery, and bad connections to the posts.. mine did that all the time before I had to swap out the battery, at which time I cleaned the cable ends really good.
Note: To this day, my 91 minivan does the same thing now and then.. get out, loosen then twist the cable a little, retighten, and it works for a while again.
