97 SHO with odd problem

[Groove44]

Ok, so I am selling my car locally and I couple came out to look at it today only to come to a car that won't start. It won't even crank over. Everything power works, radio, fans, moon roof, all of the fob functions including lock, unlock, trunk pop and panic alarm. The antenae goes up and down, the interior and exterior lights go on and off, everything I checked works fine... until you try to turn the key over. The only clue I have is a very faint clicking noise when I turn it over, it didn't sound loud enough to be the starter, but I decided to look anyway, I had my little sister turn the ignition while I looked and it won't even kick out, move make noise or anything... it sounds like to me its coming from the under-hood fuse box/airbox/TB area but no matter how many times I have her turn it over I can't pinpoint it. I tried cleaning the battery terminals, checking the terminal wires, swapped all IGN/STARTER/JCT/ECC fuses and relays with known good ones to no avail. My sister did say sometimes while she tries to turn it over the doors would lock and then unlock and I saw them do it.. anyone have any insight to a similar problem or have the exact circumstances? Thanks

 

[kevinspann]

The door lock/unlock is after 5 key on cycles in a row...that is for programming remotes.

Sounds like a battery, or the starter up and died. Have the battery tested first.

 

[Groove44]

Ok, I will do that, I did try to jump it but there was no change if that helps any.

 

[BamSHO]

sounds like the started puked. Wife's sable did the same think, turn the key and only got a clicking sound. But double check battery too.


Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[Groove44]

Ok, got the battery tested and it tested "Good: Recharge" so i'm putting on trickle charge and i'll see from there. And I have a gut feeling it's not the started because my old '77 F150 had a starter go out and you could tell cause it would click very loud and multiple times, this is a single, very faint click, I can barely hear it untles my ear is right by the fuse box/air box area.

EDIT: Oh and last night before I pulled the battery I tried starting it just for the heck of it and it turned right over, fired and ran just like new... I let it run for about 10 min. and then turned it off. tried to start again and got same condition.

 

[Allmostall]

Maybe ignition switch? Not very expensive ands fairly simple to replace.

 

[Bob Gervais]

Ok, got the battery tested and it tested "Good: Recharge" so i'm putting on trickle charge and i'll see from there. And I have a gut feeling it's not the started because my old '77 F150 had a starter go out and you could tell cause it would click very loud and multiple times, this is a single, very faint click, I can barely hear it untles my ear is right by the fuse box/air box area.

EDIT: Oh and last night before I pulled the battery I tried starting it just for the heck of it and it turned right over, fired and ran just like new... I let it run for about 10 min. and then turned it off. tried to start again and got same condition.

The starter in the SHO won't click loudly like your F150 did. The truck had a fender mounted solenoid, the SHO has a starter mounted solenoid.

Sounds like it's a starter to me... You should be able to get that tested too.

 

[toledogt]

I would check the starter also. Look on the bright side: you can advertise New Starter!

 

[ThatSHO]

Take a metal pipe and smack the starter on the top and while your doing that have someone try to start the car. Has worked many times for me

 

[dlanes]

I have the same problem it's corrosion on the battery cable that runs down to the starter. If you pull on the cable it will start up. I just need a day to get under there and fix it.

 

[whiteman_01]

Could be starter, but what does your theft light do when you have the no start condition?

 

[SHOZ123]

The faint clicking is the relay in the fuse box. It supplies power to the solenoid. I've had problems with the small wire connector at the starter. This is the one that comes from the relay.

It has a locking spade connector on it.