starting...or the lack there of

[DubbaDooz]

Hey guys...man I hate posting on the "troubleshooting" board...but here I am. I also hate asking a question that has probably been asked 1,000 times before, but I searched waaaay back and didn't see anything that reflected my particular problem. Maybe you can help me out. I really don't drive my car that often, perhaps once or twice a week. And as I go out to my car yesterday night, it just wouldn't start. No crank, nothing. All of my dummy lights, etc... came on fine, heck, i can even put my headlights on, no problem. I just replaced the battery and alternator myself about 3 months ago, so I really doubt that either of those are the root of my problem. My starter has been giving me a bit of trouble as of late (weak starts, etc.), could it need rebuilding/replacing? And for what it's worth, i live in columbus, right by OSU's campus, where it's pretty cold and the car is parked on the street. Hope you guys have a couple ideas, cuz I'm stumped!
-SHOless in columbus-

 

[luigisho]

Maybe you should park it on the street and see if the football fans will total it for you.

Seriously yes the starter is probably the first place to check. Give the solenoid a little rap and see if the starter gets going.

 

[Sammage]

You also might check the starter wire and/or connection itself. My 95 ATX had the same problem the first weekend I got it, even though the dealership had just replaced the starter. Turns out it was the starter wire they HADN'T replaced... bs

 

[DubbaDooz]

thanks guys as nice and well maintained as I like to keep my car, i don't think my insurance company would give me enough money to replace it if it were...say...rolled over and tourched. Would it be poiible to get a little more specific directions on how to check the starter? I've heard about "giving it a little tap" before, but I could never figure out what anyone was talking about. a step-by-step would be super awesome. Thanks again
-the only car left in columbus without roll/flame damage-

 

[revhardSHO]

The solinoid is on the side of the engine comp. near the battery(on an 89'). You will see 3 wires (two positive) and one black/grey. The soliniod itself is ~2inch in lenght, like a small box. Using a rubber mallot or small wrench give it a firm, but not violent "rap". Since the switch inside is actually a moving part it can sometimes get seized in the off position. Giving it a good wack can "free" it sometimes. Its worth a try and quite a simple fix. Also check all wires and grounds that lead to the starter.

 

[snowwind1990]

Really? I don't remember the solenoid being there on my '89, they changed then on the '90 and '91 and put it way over on the driver's side.....YYYYYY did they do that?
And don't tap that! Mallet-tap the starter, right under the engine up front....a black cylinder looking thing...about 10" long...
Anyway, if the starter were the culprit, just roll and few inches and pop the clutch..no problem, do it all the time.
Here is where I would start:
Clean your battery cable ends real good, you may not have a great connection, even if the battery is new, the cables aren't(are they)? And if you don't use your SHO often(they don't like that BTW)check your hood copper ground mounted on passenger side firewall for contact to the rectangular plate on the hood..
shrug

 

[revhardSHO]

hmmmm. It may be on the drivers side come to think of it. But you got me mixed up now so im not sure where. You will find it if you look. Anyway thats not the point; you dont tap the starter!!! duh!(i guess it wont hurt though)
Ive freed a few soliniods from time to time by taping them. Read my post again, there is an mechanical switch inside. You can free it sometimes by knocking it. ! wink

silas

 

[noSHO]

The thing that gets me is that there's no grinding or crunching to be heard. When my starter was going, I KNEW it, it would grind crunch and make just the most awful noises. I was hoping the car would at least crank, because it could leave us with something like a CID or CKP, but it just has no crank. I think it has to do with the starter, but all the people I've talked to about it thus far usually indicate the noise (as was my own experience) as something associated with the starter. What's the consensus on that?

 

[revhardSHO]

Okay...if you knew the starter was making those awfull grinding noises thats problably the culpret. Just to make sure check the wires again. Make sure you dont have a bad connection somewhere thats messing with the current. IF you really want to make sure you can jump the starter itself using small jumpercables. Attach one side to the battery and one to the starter. Make SURE ALL CONNECTIONS ARE CORRECT (+&-). That way you bypass everything else in the starting system.

silas

 

[revhardSHO]

sorry...noSHO

i thought you were the guy with the problem. Anyway he can still try jumping the starter itself.

 

[snowwind1990]

since it has been a few years since I replaced the starter,,,,do tell:
Aren't our starters shimmed and if so, if we lose a shim, and the alignment gets whacky, will it not effect ground?

 

[DubbaDooz]

Well, it's pretty obvious that I'm wayyyy out of my leauge as far as technical know-how goes around here shrug . But due to the sudden on-set very nice and then freezing weather here in columbus would lead me to believe that solinoid has siezed (assuming that it is a mechanical switch, it sounds like a logical solution). I suppose that when I DO fix this problem (the plus side to not driving much is I don't have to have it fixed yesterday thumbs_u ...and I'd rather not pay out the patoot for a wrench turning chimp to tell me something i already knew and could have just as easily done for half the price...not to mention there can be no price tag set on experience...but don't get me started on mechanics ) i'll know to start my car up daily. I'll take a look at it tomorrow...and take some pictures, just in case I can't figure it out by then. Thanks again.

 

[SHOZ123]

Does the solenoid clunk when you try to start it? This clunk means the solenoid is working. If you don't hear any noise then that's the problem.

If it does make a clunk then it's between the solenoid and the starter or it is the starter. Turn on the headlights and try to start the car. If the lights dim when you try to start the car then the problem is probably the starter.

 

[revhardSHO]

Ive had some soliniods that clunck, but dont actually move inside. I guess its "trying" to move. But definitly try and start it with the headlights on and see if it dims.
I doubt the soliniod will be that expensive(im guessing 25-35$). So hopefully thats it.

 

[DubbaDooz]

yep, all of my electrics work perfectly: lights, radio, A/C (thanks to a brandy-new battery), but when I turn the ignition, i hear the fuel pump prime, but that's it. no clunk. no clicking. nothing. I'll try some of your suggestions under the light of day. And if the solonoid needs replacing, well, I suppose $30 or so sure beats the **** out of riding my bike to the supermarket in the snow. Wish me luck...and warm hands! beer

 

[shojuan]

Supposedly Ford has used the same solenoid since before the dawn of time. I think later SHO starters had the solenoid mounted on the start and not on the driver's side fender (the old, off the starter universal Ford part used before time immemorial)

You might actually want to check the thin wire with a fork prong end that mounts to the starter with a small nut and bolt. The bolt on mine was stripped out last June (not sure how it got that way. My dad was the last one to have changed the starter years and years ago) thus preventing the nut from tightening down. Went to a parts store and figured out what sized nut and bolt I needed by examining those off of a rebuilt starter for Ford SHO they had in stock. Got a nut and bolt for free because the guy didn't feel like breaking my $1 bill for a couple of cents.

Rick

 

[snowwind1990]

The 1992 is the first year of the starter w/solenoid....very pricey.
1989-1991. \Driver's side fenderwall mounted solenoid. Less than $30.00 OEM..with no discount applied.
Starter can be rebuilt, or there is probably a rebuild shop that has one already on the shelf.

Still sounds like "all grounds " should be checked,,the wire/nut/bolt is probably the ground for the starter as described above..
I'm sure someone will chime in on that shrug

 

[DubbaDooz]

well, i tapped and tapped until I could tap no more...the problem was, i'm not sure if I was tapping the right thing shrug . If you wouldn't mind, could someone take a look ah my engine bay here: http://members7.clubphoto.com/dan511389/1015250/owner-b7cb.phtml
and perhaps circle what could need replacing/fixing? Do you think it could be that monkey under my hood causing all of my problems? Thanks again!
-sho me the way-

 

[revhardSHO]

what year is your SHO?? It must be a 92 or higher right? IF thats the case than the soliniod is built on the side of the starter
I just checked under the engine comp. and the soliniod is on the drivers side, just above the air box next to the strut. That will make it harder to "tap" Sorry i though you had an older SHO.

 

[DubbaDooz]

yeah, mine's a '94, would anyone know a good way for me to get to my solinoid?