Another Problem... Starting Car

[Danielle]

Soooo now, my car just died on me. I own a 92 Ford Taurus SHO. It seems to need a clutch but I had to get to work so this was the only way. On my break, I drove it down the road and it died. It has a new battery and Alternator. New TPS. I know that it does need a spark plug wire set since the middle wire has a crack. When I try and start it, the dash lights will come on but nothing else. Could this problem really be just the spark plugs?

 

[TimboSHO]

Does it crank over, or just click?

 

[Danielle]

Does it crank over, or just click?

It doesnt click. It has no sound at all when trying to start it.

 

[mph1001]

Maybe the clutch safety switch. It's to make sure you have the clutch depressed before it will allow the engine to start. Switch could be bad or just out of adjustment.

 

[kevinspann]

Bad starter or starter solenoid, or a poor connection at the battery would be my guess.

 

[luigisho]

I would get a volt meter on the battery to verify there is enough voltage to turn the car over in the first place ---but I agree that the starter is the next place to look. Then relay (modules)and switches. This thing is 22+ yrs/old. You will get good at fixing cars

 

[Danielle]

I would get a volt meter on the battery to verify there is enough voltage to turn the car over in the first place ---but I agree that the starter is the next place to look. Then relay (modules)and switches. This thing is 22+ yrs/old. You will get good at fixing cars

Lol. I have learned a lot for this car as it is. But the battery is brand new and was checked by Oreillys. Im gonna buy some new spark plugs and wires. Hopefully that works if not. Its on to the starter next.

 

[sperold]

Clean all the wires, especially the small wire on the solenoid, and give the solenoid a rap to wake it up. The solenoid may be on the fender, or on the starter itself. You can also give the starter a wrap to see if it helps. But not so hard as to shatter the brittle brushes or commutater segments.

 

[luigisho]

If it was plugs and wires the starter would still crank the motor & you would hear something. I only mentioned the battery in the rare instance that you have a short/draw on the battery that could drain it enough to not turn the starter. Other things to look at are the DIS module or crank sensor

 

[Danielle]

If it was plugs and wires the starter would still crank the motor & you would hear something. I only mentioned the battery in the rare instance that you have a short/draw on the battery that could drain it enough to not turn the starter. Other things to look at are the DIS module or crank sensor

Ya. We tried jump starting it but nothing happened. Ended up getting it tower back to my house. It has enough power to at least power the dash lights and radio lights. But has no sound when trying to crank.

 

[zoomlater]

Try checking the solenoid on the starter by jumping it with a screw driver (use something that has an insulated handle). It's on the outside of the starter and you can check it by making a quick contact across the lugs. This way you can find out if you have enough power to engage the solenoid or if the solenoid has failed. Double check all the wiring and ground connections.

Do you have a volt meter to see if power is getting to the starter/solenoid?

 

[luigisho]

If the starter doesn't turn then there is a wiring problem or most likely a starter/solenoid problem. The juice runs pretty much from the battery cable to the starter. The early ones have a solenoid separate from the starter housing. Forget if they changed over to the single location combo unit by '92. I think so. The starter is easy to remove. Crawl under there and look at the flywheel and you'll see the starter sitting right there.

 

[Danielle]

If the starter doesn't turn then there is a wiring problem or most likely a starter/solenoid problem. The juice runs pretty much from the battery cable to the starter. The early ones have a solenoid separate from the starter housing. Forget if they changed over to the single location combo unit by '92. I think so. The starter is easy to remove. Crawl under there and look at the flywheel and you'll see the starter sitting right there.

Alright. Ill try it tomorrow. Hopefully I can figure it out.

 

[kevinspann]

Yup, 92s have the solenoid on the starter. The starter is right under the oil filter. A great place....not. Smack the side of it with a large ratchet or hammer while someone tries to crank it. If it starts, you need a starter.

 

[Danielle]

Yup, 92s have the solenoid on the starter. The starter is right under the oil filter. A great place....not. Smack the side of it with a large ratchet or hammer while someone tries to crank it. If it starts, you need a starter.

Ya. I tried getting a hammer in there and hitting it. It still wouldnt start. So ill be getting my spark plug wires today. Amd hopefully it works.

 

[luigisho]

Did the starter move the flywheel? The sparkplug & wires are needed to ignite fuel/air for engine ignition. The starter turning the flywheel is pure direct current from the battery. If the starter does not engage then the most likely area is from there back to the battery. If the starter turns the flywheel and the engine won't fire then you look at plugs and whatnot.

Pull the starter and have it tested. Banging it while someone else turns the key can get a faulty starter to engage. OR if it's really bad it still won't.

 

[Danielle]

Ok. My starter is good and my battery is too. Still doesnt start. Im thinking its the ignition switch, so ill try that and see what happens when I replace it.

 

[zoomlater]

Maybe the clutch safety switch. It's to make sure you have the clutch depressed before it will allow the engine to start. Switch could be bad or just out of adjustment.

Did you check this switch?

 

[Danielle]

Did you check this switch?

Which switch?

 

[zoomlater]

If you type in Clutch Safety Switch into the search function, there are previous post you can look up issues with this switch. The link below is one of them you can try

http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?t...rank-neutral-safety-switch.12935/#post-109712


Here is a description from another thread:

the neutral safety switch, which is under the dash. Take a look under there, it should be right above the clutch pedal....pull the wire to the plunger type switch