No start??? need help

[sho_can]

Okay, I think that this is a really odd problem,
I go to start my car and I hear this electrical sound like some thing is grounding out, and then the car is compleatly purged of energy(clock resets and no power to any thing) and then it slowly comes back to full power (about 30-60sec.) but every time I turn the key over it does this, and then my radio comes on with out the key being on! any ideas? its got me stumped, I'm thinking ether something with the ignition switch or the starter, but the starter is only 2 months old. Has any one else had any thing similar to this, I really need some help, I don't do well with electrical problems.

thanks for any help,
Karl vonN...

 

[luigisho]

Check the battery and alt. for correct output then go to the starter.

Karl, another tip... Set up a signature for your posts so you can list the year and MTX/ATX configuration. That will help people down the line to give more accurate advice.

<small>[ December 05, 2002, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

Karl, I think its possible you may have a messed up ground, or something somehow got crossed. Depending on what the battery is doing, you should check the ground on your starter AND starter relay (i dont know if the relay is on the starter for sure on the sho). As for the radio, your guess is as good as mine shrug You know though, I think it may be possible the ignition cylinder on your steering column is junked up. I know this is easy to replace, you should take it out and test it. Hope this helps, let us know what happens.
Bob

<small>[ December 05, 2002, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: BlackOnBlackATX ]</small>

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

Hey, I found the post on removing it, should take 30 seconds. Someone asked about it like 3 days ago.
Ignition Key Tumbler

 

[sho_can]

know that I think about it I did go throught a car wash before it had this problem, I guess that could have jard something lose, but I have no idea, I'm wondering, does the regular Taurus' have the same ignition? I'm sure I could get one of those from a junk car for cheep, how much is a new one? does any one know if there is a certain point where the body is grounded that might have come loose and causing this? and where is the starter relay?

Thanks Guys for you time,
Karl

oh, by the way its a 92 MTX with 105K on her.

luigisho, how would I check if the alt. and battery are producing the correct output?

 

[luigisho]

You can (if the car gets on the road) get them checked out at autoparts stores. They do it for free in the hopes of a sale. You could check the wires to the starter too as the solenoid is attached I believe. Can you start it by popping the clutch?

 

[SHOMAN89]

Sorry for the late reply but, I had the same problem after a couple days later after I washed the engine and all it was, was that the power battery cable needed to be brushed even after I had it brushed before the engine wash. I guess it's because that little rubber cover deal on top of the power cable holded in some moisture and made it get a little acid all in it. You will have to take it off and clean the both parts. Mine was acting funny power sometimes and sometimes not and it also kept resetting the clock. Hope this helps, it's the cheapest way out of any other fixes.

 

[SHOZ123]

BlackOnBlackATX:
Hey, I found the post on removing it, should take 30 seconds. Someone asked about it like 3 days ago.
Ignition Key Tumbler

The ignition cylinder is not the ignition switch. If the ignition switch is bad that is located on top of the steering column and actuated by the igniton cylinder.

 

[sho_can]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! thank heaven! I did what shoman89 said to do, and it seem to be running like a champ! so word of advice, if'n you see any of that build up on the battery terminals....Clean it off! I'm going to get a new conector Monday so this doesn't happen again.
my question is how come that acid build up could cause those types of symptoms? I thought as long as you had juice, you had juice!?!

Thanks Brian, and every one else who posted with there advice.

Thanks again,
Karl

 

[SHOMAN89]

Glad to see you got the SHO running now Karl. Now I don't know why that acid does it but that's weird.

Brian