No start:(

titokang · Jun 17, 2009

Hello everyone, im new to the board and just bought a 95 gt bout a month ago. I drive it about twice a week illlegally cause i ran out of funds to do the title transfer and what not. Anyways i washed my car two days ago cause she was getting all dusty, drove her around for awhile. The last night i got in to move it, when i turned the key it cranked then stopped and started to click kinda fast. I have tried 3 different batteries and still does the same thing, im not very inclined and would like suggestions with what it could be. Thanks for your help and im not really sure if i should be posting this here but im new to the board so i figured it be worth a shot.

94 DropTop · Jun 17, 2009

sounds like the starter since you tried different batterys. but where did you get those batteries from?

titokang · Jun 17, 2009

I used my brothers interstate battery out of his mustang, an optima from my malibu, and a duralast from a friends focus. Theyre not new, but after being put back into each car they all started up perfectly. thanks for your help

CC'S95GT · Jun 17, 2009

here's a quick test. Get a baseball bat or hammer (no really). Slide under the car and give a couple of good raps on the starter. Your not trying to kill it just trying to knock some of the dust loose. it might also be a dead spot in the stator inside the starter.

titokang · Jun 17, 2009

Ha ha, a friend of mine told me to do the same thing! I'll be sure to do that first thing in the morning, thanks.

duh09 · Jun 17, 2009

Your car doesn't like been driven illegally. Its scared of the coppers! haha

titokang · Jun 17, 2009

Maybe but i cant resist letting her sit there!!!!!

Win · Jun 17, 2009

Yeah +1 on the tapping of the starter. You can use that trick on the fuel pump too just use a rubber mallet or your fist. It does sound like your starter. Or possibly the coil

titokang · Jun 18, 2009

Well the rubber mallet to the starter trick worked, and turned the car on. I let it run for awhile, took off the positive cable off the battery and the car died. so im gonna need an alternator, but im not sure how to work the tensioner, and would like a step by step how to if possible. And about the starter, am i gonna need a new one also? Thanks for all your help

CC'S95GT · Jun 18, 2009

First: the battery cable trick doesn't work on computer controled cars. If you suspect the battery is a problem take it and have it tested first. You might just have a bad cable or loose connection somewhere.
Second: while your there buy a haynes manual for your car. It will tell you step by step how to get that belt off.
Good luck. you can do it

94 Sn-95GT · Jun 18, 2009

titokang said:
Well the rubber mallet to the starter trick worked, and turned the car on. I let it run for awhile, took off the positive cable off the battery and the car died. so im gonna need an alternator, but im not sure how to work the tensioner, and would like a step by step how to if possible. And about the starter, am i gonna need a new one also? Thanks for all your help

Do NOT take the positive cable off of an computer controlled car.

Good way to fry everything by causing a power surge. just FYI

titokang · Jun 18, 2009

ha ha whoops my bad! I already got it off the alternator and gonna have that tested along with the battery. Ill keep you guys posted so you guys can give me suggestions with it. Thanks for all your help guys!

94kingcbra · Jun 19, 2009

The clicking is a good sign, it means it's trying to work, but it can't because it's not receiving all of its required amperage to do so.

Replace the battery terminals and Cables. Sounds like there is excessive resistance in those cables not allowing full power to reach the starter. Also clean up where the ground cable bolts to the block with a wire brush to help continuity there.

Pull the starter out and clean the mating surface between the starter and bell housing with a scotch pad. This is where the starter grounds through, and if it's dirty, it won't work as good as it can. Which could lead to premature failure. There might be oil there from a leaking rear main seal causing the build up.

Oh, and remember, always disconnect Negative terminal first, and connect it last when reinstalling. You won't damage anything this way.

Good luck!

Justin

94 Sn-95GT · Jun 19, 2009

94kingcbra said:
The clicking is a good sign, it means it's trying to work, but it can't because it's not receiving all of its required amperage to do so.

Replace the battery terminals and Cables. Sounds like there is excessive resistance in those cables not allowing full power to reach the starter. Also clean up where the ground cable bolts to the block with a wire brush to help continuity there.

Pull the starter out and clean the mating surface between the starter and bell housing with a scotch pad. This is where the starter grounds through, and if it's dirty, it won't work as good as it can. Which could lead to premature failure. There might be oil there from a leaking rear main seal causing the build up.

Oh, and remember, always disconnect Negative terminal first, and connect it last when reinstalling. You won't damage anything this way.

Good luck!

Justin

Clicking sound can also mean stuck starter solenoid which he confirmed by wacking the starter and the car started.

replace the starter and be on your way

x182dan · Jun 19, 2009

Fords like to have good grounds so if tapping the starter doesn't work then check those grounds. I replaced a starter once because of a bad ground.

94kingcbra · Jun 19, 2009

Well diagnosing a crank but no start problem can be a long and frustrating task. I gave him the basics to go off of. Replacing the starter may fix the problem, but how will he know if it really needed it? If you really think it's the starter then pull it out, take it to autozone and have it bench tested. By replacing the cheap stuff first, you can eliminate those factors that may have been an issue.
Tapping on the starter is only good to free a solenoid that is stuck open. When it is closed, the solenoid is being held by a magnetic field, which recieves its power from the ignition switch. As the solenoid is pulled in by this magnetic field, a lever attatched to a plunger in the solenoid, pushes out on a over running clutch with a gear that engages the flywheel. At the same time, the starter motor is spinning this gear. Once you release the key and open the circuit, the magnetic field in the solenoid collapses and returns to its normally open position. So, if you hear the clicking you either have a bad ground, or bad wire from the ignition switch to the starter. Replacing the cables is just good practice to ensure all of the other electrical circuits in your car are receiving sufficient power to run properly. I bet you probably finished reading this by now, but, if you have any more questions let me know.

Justin

titokang · Jun 21, 2009

Thanks for all your help guys, my alternator failed the test. Im just curious why my starter was doing that if i tried 3 different batteries? Is that a sign that it may be going out too? Thanks for everything!