Mustang50
Mustang50 New Reader
7/2/12 6:57 p.m.

After returning from a 1 week vacation my 1997 Mustang will not start. When I turn the key the dash lights come on occasionally but nothing else happens. I had the battery checked after I tried to jump start it and the battery checks good.

The radio will not play when the key is in the "On" position but it will in the "Accessory" position but it has lost the memory for all the channels. Nothing seems right electrically.

I suspect the ignition/key switch is bad. I definately need some help.

ls1fiero
ls1fiero Reader
7/3/12 6:04 a.m.

When batteries go bad they do lots of strange things. So it may test ok but will have a bad cell. I say put another battery in and see what happens.

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic New Reader
7/3/12 6:46 a.m.

Did you load test the battery?

stan
stan SuperDork
7/3/12 6:47 a.m.

Check your big grounds. Cheap, easy and might fix your issue.

Mustang50
Mustang50 New Reader
7/3/12 9:22 a.m.

Thank you Stan! I checked my big ground wire and found a corroded connection. Cleaned it up and the car started first click.

iceracer
iceracer UltraDork
7/3/12 9:54 a.m.

Always the first thing to check. Also corroded/loose battery terminals.

ReverendDexter
ReverendDexter UltraDork
7/3/12 10:14 a.m.
iceracer wrote: Always the first thing to check. Also corroded/loose battery terminals.

On a Ford, I disagree - first thing to check is the starter selenoid (which is more of a relay than a selenoid, but..). Give that thing a couple love taps and make sure it's not sticking.

But, glad the OP got it all figger'd out

Caleb
Caleb New Reader
7/3/12 3:18 p.m.

Run a hot wire from the battery positive terminal to the starter solenoid (car in neutral) and see if it engages and turns over.

iceracer
iceracer UltraDork
7/3/12 6:15 p.m.
ReverendDexter wrote:
iceracer wrote: Always the first thing to check. Also corroded/loose battery terminals.
On a Ford, I disagree - first thing to check is the starter selenoid (which is more of a relay than a selenoid, but..). Give that thing a couple love taps and make sure it's not sticking. But, glad the OP got it all figger'd out

Did the '97's still have the seperate solenoid.? Thought they got rid of that a long time ago.

JKleiner
JKleiner New Reader
7/3/12 6:53 p.m.
iceracer wrote: Did the '97's still have the seperate solenoid.? Thought they got rid of that a long time ago.

Solenoid integral to the starter from 1993 on.

Jeff

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
5R3brv3NZvBnkgNDLMGN7GfjA6VuzpvPrDyBKyyu1uec1aicGdVvAZIRYeNN1zVz