car stuck at gas station...

[Snake2715]

ok,
1993 ATX <70k miles, all maint done 60k etc.

Short version car ran fine got a drvie through car wash, stopped to get gas. Car wont crank over....

The battery is at 12.3 volts. Its almost like its in drive. I tried to start it in nuetral and park but no go.

I turn the key and it clicks and the starter doesnt turn over.

Ran the codes while sitting in the gas station all clear at 111.

I pulled the belt and the crank and every other pulley rotate. I had thought that just maybe it was a seized pulley but its not.

I am guessing that its either the starter went bad out of the blue or the flywheel is somehow stuck. The trans was rebuilt in Feb....

Any ideas? Am I missing a common diagnoses?

 

[LJRuddy]

Did you stop to think that maybe something got wet after the wash? I have had this same problem on a 92 SE once where i took it to the wash and just after i pulled out, the coil went bad... I dont know if it was just perfect timing but i guessed it was from water. How long has it been sitting? If its been sitting for a while and nothing happens, than you probably shorted soemthing out from water.


Just my .02...

 

[FRDSHOGRL93X3]

Check to make sure the terminal plug thingie didn't come off on your starter.
Xspecially if you have the orig starter. Check your Battery cables. These cars don't like crummy cables/loose connections.

 

[SHO SPD]

Sounds like a starter or starter solenoid to me.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Sounds like a starter or starter solenoid to me.

I would agree. I would try taking a decent sized hand tool and "encouraging" the starter to work. (aka, bang on the starter a few times, and then try to starting it. This trick has gotten me out of a few situations to get the car home to change the starter.)

Dont beat the crap out of it...just decent hits, not enough to dent it.

 

[Snake2715]

Yeah the battery is a few months old. I was selling another car with a bad battery so I put my Taurus one in the car for sale and bought a new one for my Sho.

The connectors are all good on the batt and up top. The lights etc all come on. The fuses are all good. I am going to go take the starter off. I am thinking it may have just been crazy timing...

 

[ohfosho]

I would agree. I would try taking a decent sized hand tool and "encouraging" the starter to work. (aka, bang on the starter a few times, and then try to starting it. This trick has gotten me out of a few situations to get the car home to change the starter.)

Dont beat the crap out of it...just decent hits, not enough to dent it.

garentied to be the main suspect.

 

[Snake2715]

yeah guys its the starter.

I had absolutely zero problems with it even that same day when i started it close to 3-4 times.

Banging on it with my tire iron (yes gently) didnt help either. I tried that imediately and nothing.

Maybe water got into it from the car wash and did the final trick.

The tow company (since I wa 30 miles from home and unable to leave it there) broke my CV joint so thats going to be new and on them...

I didnt have the time to replace the CV but I am gettign paid to do it and I dont trust my car with their garage..

Thanks everyone. It followed and appeared to be a starter the whole time but I always was able to get one more start of them in the past but this one was dead.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Sorry to hear about the cv joint. Glad you got it all figured out and towed home. Good luck with the repairs.