Hello All,
I am new to this site but would really appreciate any help that I can get. I bought my Lincoln LS 2001 V8 3.9L about 3 months ago. It has 150,000 miles but a new transmission and is in great shape (fully loaded :) but anyways I am having a problem starting it at the moment. It does not even turn over it just clicks and the light for the alarm on the dashboard flashes all of the gauges (speedometer, RPM, Fuel, and Temperature) go all the way up them come back down and the car alarm starts going off. I hit the unlock button on the remote and it goes off. I noticed a clinking sound like the noise you would hear when you put a penny in an empty coffee tin and shake it. I noticed this the last time I started it and it was a very hard start (sounded horrible.) I was hesitant to drive it but took it to the station filled it with Premium fuel and tried to start it and nothing but clicking and all of the above I had mentioned. I had it towed to my office and tried jumping it unsuccessfully. I was just wondering if anyone had expierienced similar problems or has a solution for the problem I am having. Thank you very much.

That clicking sound is your starter.

Have your battery and charging system checked, Advance or AutoZone does this for free.

I will give it a shot

The "clinking" sound or the clicking when i try to start?

I charged the battery and it started still starts a little rough but it starts at least I disconnected the battery while running to check for alternator problems and it stayed running. battery reads 13.2 V when disconnected and 14.4 when connected car is running as we speak but I noticed the battery still has a red dot when i look into it.. I guess it was the battery.. lucky me :)

just posting this if anyone has a similar problem hopefully this will help... thanks alot guys

Nate,


About 3 months ago I had to replace my battery. happend while I was getting oil filter at Advanced Autoparts.

I went to start the car, it turned over, and then instantly shut off and the alarm went off. Took 2-3 tries to get the car to start. After that I turned the car off, and gave it another try. Happened again 2 more times.

Replaced the battery, and the woes went away.

I havent replaced the battery yet... probably should.. Now I have a problem with it starting really hard.. Its making a loud sound and like a screech and kind of a clinking when it starts it hard to explain the sound but its annoying and sounds horrible. anyone have any suggestions? starter maybe?

A screech and a clinking sound? The screech could be belt squeal I suppose. The other sound may be related, possibly the bearings in one of the pulleys or accessories is worn out. Think you can get a sound/video clip of it?

Can you tell exactly where the sound is coming from?

Oh yeah, forgot to say, replace your battery.

Hmm.. well today when i started it it didnt sound to bad and the car is running great... btw I love the power of the 3.9 V8 I fell in love with it when i drove it off the lot. My car looks exactly like your avatar 97stscaddy but anyways I can get an mpeg of it starting and upload it or send it to you if it will help....thanks again