Starting Problem

[dwarf]

Starting two days ago I've been having a problem starting my car. I have a 1994 MTX with 111k miles. It has an alarm instI alled with a little button you are supposed to press while starting the car. (You don't always need to push it for the car to starts)

When I tried to start my car it didn't turn over or make a noise. After trying it a few times it just clicked once. I had left something plugged into the ciggarette lighter and it drained the battery. I popstarted it and after that it was able to start for the rest of the day.

Now when i Try to start my car sometimes it will click and sometimes it wont. I just need to keep trying to start it and whenever it turns over it will start.

Also today my battery light turned on. I have a new battery (~2k miles) so i dont know if thats the problem.

 

[95IVSHO]

charge the battery over night, get a good slow ful charge then start the car and test the alternator

 

[dwarf]

My alternator tested fine at Kragen. I bought some new battery cables and am going to install them and see if that does anything. The guy at kragen said my battery was low but my alternator was charging. So it's either a drain or a bad connection he told me.

 

[ilikepoultry]

it sounds like a bad battery connection
try pulling the 11mm screws out of the connections and getting the wires well into the connections, then cranking them down really well

i THINK they're 11mm but not too sure

i have had this problem on both of my cars and all it needed was to be tightened down really well
or, depending on how they look, you could replace them entirely... just make sure they're tightened really well

 

[MERVERNATOR]

I agree with the battery connection.

my 95 MTX developed an issue where it wouldnt start sometimes. it would click the starter solonoid, but not turn. at first it almost seemed like the clutch was not letting go cause if I put it in neutral and let the car roll a little, then it would start normally. then one day that wasnt working and in the back of my mind I remembered something I read one about those cheap lead battery clamps that people put on not making a good contact after a while, and this car had them from previosu owners. I went under the hood, wiggled the positive wire and I saw it was moving under the clamp. but just moving it allowed the car to start.. so I guess those times letting it roll, I was just getting lucky that it was vibrating enough to make a better contact. I had been wanting to replace them with the OEM style ones anyway, and after doing that, the issue has not returned.

 

[93rev2sev]

If you bumped it and it started the rest of the day, the charging system is fine.

Your starter is not. I think you need a starter rebuild.

 

[puddnlovr]

Hello all, I am new to the forum.I recently purchased a 94 sho atx with 72k miles and 15k on rebuilt trans.The 60k was done at 55k. The past few days my car has been bogging upon hard acceleration off the line.I tried to start it the other day now it won`t crank.The battery and alternator are fine. Can anyone help me? thanks!

 

[dwarf]

I replaced the battery cables and it was fine but the battery light was still on/. Now I need to turn the key about 3-4 times to get my car to start. It will just give me a single click. When it does turn over it starts instantly.

So should I take my starter off and get it tested?

 

[dwarf]

I got my battery and my alternator tested and they are both fine. I replaced my battery cables too. My starter was tested at Kragen and the guy told me there was nothing wrong it. I cleaned all of the connections well and put it all back together.

It seemed to start fine for a few days but now i need to turn the key like 5 or 6 times to get it to start.

Also when I pulled off my starter the solenoid was loose and jiggled a little. And I can turn my ignition without a key in it in full circles. 1994 mtx

 

['94SHO]

Try grabbing the neg. battery clamp and twisting it while someone tries to crank it.. The loud "click" is a classic symptom of loose batt. connection.. Or just clean and tighten both battery clamps to eliminate this possibility.

 

[dwarf]

I don't understand how it would be the connection. I just replaced my battery and my battery cables. The connection is very tight and clean, less than a few hundred miles on the cables

 

['94SHO]

Maybe the other ends of the cables? (starter&grounds)

 

['94SHO]

Also, have you tried jumping the solenoid? My lincoln only started with a screwdriver!! Fords are notorious for solenoids.:laugh_ti:

 

[dwarf]

If I brought my starter to kragen to get it tested wouldnt that also test the solenoid? How can I jump the solenoid

 

['94SHO]

Wow, I am sure you have fixed it by now, but you take a screwdriver, and jump
one large post with a small post.(one side or the other will work.) Did not even see your post!! Anyone feel free to p.m. me if you need help, or info (if I have it). Sorry I spaced your post. My sig.sez it all, LOL

 

[dwarf]

I replaced my starter with a brand new remanfactured one and it does the same exact thing, a single click. I just ordered a camshaft position sensor and am going to try and replace it after work today. I need to figure out what is wrong and get my car running by monday or I am going to loose my job

what else could it be ???

 

[93rev2sev]

It aint the cam sensor. Don't waste time on that.

There have been numerous posts about bad starters "out of the box". This is why I recommend having YOUR starter rebuilt.

If you are convinced its not the starter, then it most likely is the cables.

Get someone to turn the key while you wiggle the cables.

Edit: I just re-read the whole post...there was no mention of the ignition switch. I'll bet $3.27 that it's the ignition switch...not the lock cylinder, the switch is located on the bottom of the column, underneath the knee shield. You need to lay in a very uncomfortable position to get at it but it's a fairly inexpensive part. You might be able remove it/inspect it/clean it/re-install it and be good to go for a while. If it were me, thats what I'd hit next...like today

Edit Edit...it could just as easily be a poorly installed alarm...but I doubt it. When you are under the steering column...on your back...with your legs hanging over the headrest...in a very uncomfortable position (LOL), If you can find the alarm brain(its probably in the same vacinity as the ignition switch), there is probably a pinout diagram cast right into the housing(if not...look it up online per your model of alarm). Find the wire that goes to the ignition switch wires and check the connections.

That little button is the ignition cut off bypass switch....you might be able to follow the wires for that button right to the bad connection...no bad connection to be found? Short the two wires together and try it. It might be a bad switch.

 

[dwarf]

Well I already paid for the camshaft position sensor but I'll try and get the ignition switch. The battery and battery cables are all new so I dont think that is the problem. How much is the ignition switch?

I can turn the car on without pushing that little black button for my alarm usually. When I turn the key with it pressed it in does the same thing as not pressed in, A single click.

I'm going to try and do my ignition switch when I get home. I can turn my black thing the key goes into in infinite circles as well.

My previous starter tested good and i just put in a brand new remanfactured one in and am positive it isn't my starter

 

[93rev2sev]

Ign Sw.

 

[95IVSHO]

Ign Sw.

+1 thats were id be headed