Car Won't Start

chris2523 said:
oh come to think of it, my aunts 97 did this. it was the wire for the starter solenoid.

when it wouldn't start, you got under and wiggled the solenoid power wire and it would start right up.

something easy and cheap to check.
Click to expand...

+1
Or could be the solenoid itself
Its gets baked were it is.
My 93 stranded me countless of times before I traced it to the solenoid.
Always the no turn over, try later it was fine.
Go a week and no turn over again.
Frustrating....
 
ford nut said:
+1
Or could be the solenoid itself
Its gets baked were it is.
My 93 stranded me countless of times before I traced it to the solenoid.
Always the no turn over, try later it was fine.
Go a week and no turn over again.
Frustrating....
Click to expand...

Yeah. I was thinking that too. The car is 15 years old and has 209k miles on it. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if that's not the problem. Looks like I've got some more checking to do as soon as I have time. Thanks.
 
Looks like it's obviously not the battery itself, but this could be a good FYI in the future.

About 10 years ago I bought a 95 GT in near perfect condition from Carmax. Flawlessly clean, in and out. Had it for about a week. One morning I was headed to school. Went to crank the engine, and everything died. Then noticed the dome light coming back slowly.

Popped hood, all looked fine. However, as I started wiggling the batt terminals some, the positive termal actually CAME OUT. I don't remember the brand of the battery, but don't let appearances fool you. It appeared to be a fairly new battery, but it was really the engine detailing the guys did that made it look that way.
 
Wow. That's messed up. Never seen that happen before:eek:

It's thundering, lightning, raining like cats and dogs here today so I doubt I'll be getting under the car any time soon. It's supposed to do this all day and most of the rest of the week. It's nasty as heck outside.:(
 
thaywood said:
Yeah. It isn't trying to crank. Or...wasn't. It's starting and running fine now. But before, when the key was turned to the start position, the whole car died. It would not even try to turn over. But now it's doing fine. I just don't get it.:confused:
Click to expand...

Please disregard the 'out of gas' idea then :p
 
thaywood said:
But before, when the key was turned to the start position, the whole car died.
Click to expand...

pretty sure that's normal... the car shuts off all the accessory stuff when start to give more power to the starter ad avoid a voltage spike on the electronics.
 
Which pretty much means that the starter, solenoid, or something related to it is probably the problem. I'll be able to check for loose wires this afternoon. I've got to drop the Cougie off at mom's and pick up the Mark (if it will start) so I'll have a couple of hours to look it over. If it doesn't rain on me again, that is...
 
I'm voting for the starter and/or solenoid.

My 97 did the same thing. Every once in a while it wouldn't start. Then it started happening more and more often. It would usually start if I waited a little while, or if I tried it a bunch of times in a row.

I got a new starter a couple months ago and it hasn't happened since...
 
98lincmk7lsc said:
I'm voting for the starter and/or solenoid.

My 97 did the same thing. Every once in a while it wouldn't start. Then it started happening more and more often. It would usually start if I waited a little while, or if I tried it a bunch of times in a row.

I got a new starter a couple months ago and it hasn't happened since...
Click to expand...

You're probably right. 15 years old and 209k miles, the starter is probably on its way out:) I'll just have to wait and see. If it does it again, it's starter replacement time.
 
Have you checked the wire at the solenoid? I bet the solenoid stud is loose in the solenoid body

My 98 stalled at a light, with a cop behind me, then wouldn't start.. so I hopped out, ran to passenger side, stuck my arm under the car and wiggled the stud a tad - as the cop is walking up to me asking if I needed help, I said "no thanks" hopped in and she fired right up. I was all !!!WHEW!!!
 
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