93 mtx wont start

[madsho]

ok for the last three days when i started my car it seemed like it was a weak start..... then today when i got off of work i went to start my car and nothing..... n o t h i n g .... all lights and electronics work fine... tested the battery and it was fine.... alternator is less than a year old..... when i start it the starter doesnt click at all... what am i looking at here... any help would be much appreciated... starter? clutch switch? starter silenoid? oh and i tried to jump it with no results

 

[TYSHO]

No clicking from the solenoid usually means the ignition wire to the solenoid is not providing power. First thing to do is pull it off, wipe the oil residue away from both contact points, reinstall, and hold your prayers when you turn the key to start.

 

[itwonder]

Check battery to starter cable. If good, pull small wire off of solenoid and put a cliplead on the tab where that wire connected. Put a jumper cable on the + battery terminal. Assure car is in neutral and parking brake set. Touch cliplead to the jumper cable and the starter should engage. If it does not, it's either a bad starter, battery, or battery to starter cable.

 

[TYSHO]

Check battery to starter cable. If good, pull small wire off of solenoid and put a cliplead on the tab where that wire connected. Put a jumper cable on the + battery terminal. Assure car is in neutral and parking brake set. Touch cliplead to the jumper cable and the starter should engage. If it does not, it's either a bad starter, battery, or battery to starter cable.

The proper way to get the same result is to just test the ignition signal wire for voltage when you turn the key to start the car.

 

[shoon]

The proper way to get the same result is to just test the ignition signal wire for voltage when you turn the key to start the car.

however it usually takes two people and a test light or multimeter would be handy.

First check the big fat battery connection for power
Second, (car in neutral ebrake applied) have an assistant crank the car while you check for voltage on the signal wire connection

If you have power at the starter, attempt to whack the started motor while the other person cranks the car. Starter might have just seized up, and if it works after you whack it you need a new starter motor. Try not to beat it too hard, you don't want to crack the magnets.

 

[SuperHO]

...i thought that only worked on Chevys.....




Another thought is to try rocking the car in gear a little bit...possibly dislodge the starter.

On the plus side, it's a stick, so you can just push start it!

 

[madsho]

ok so i push started the car today..... there was a clunk and then she fired up.......:woohoo: drove it home and tryed to start it with no luck.... i did notice it is clicking when i do turn it over now..... oh and here is a stupid question but where is the silenoid.... my chilton book says its on the driver side fender but i think thats wrong

 

[SuperHO]

Starter selenoid on a gen II's actually intergrated into the starter. If you crawl up under the car and look at the monstrosity, you'll see the selenoid sticking up off the side of it with a bunch of wires poking out.


Unfortunately, if the selenoid's shot, you just bought a starter. My advice is to yank the puppy off, as it's not that difficult, take it to advance auto or whatever you have where you are, and have it tested. That'll tell you for certain.