engine won't turn over--new battery

metalforsale · 02-28-2010, 07:09 PM

I have a 1999 mercury mountaineer. It is an automatic with 5.0l eng. 150,000 miles. It has been sitting for 3 months. it ran fine b4 that. I tried to start it but it would not turn over. so I got a new battery. Now, The starter clicks and tries to turn the motor but it sounds like something is keeping the motor from turning over.Seems like I can hear a sound of metal to metal hitting. I banged on the starter with a hammer a few times. I was able to turn the motor with a large ratchet. Any suggestions???

thanks

storlied · 02-28-2010, 07:17 PM

Put some heet in the gas tank (preferably put in fresh fuel, getting rid of the old), make sure you're getting spark. Maybe the starter has lost most of it's power also?

Can you also tell us what your voltage is looking like while the truck is sitting there, and what does it do when you try to start?

metalforsale · 02-28-2010, 07:46 PM

Thanks for your reply. The engine won't crank at all. It s almost like the engine is locked up, but i can turn it with a wrench. Never a problem b4 it sat for 3 months. Could the starter be locked up??

storlied · 02-28-2010, 07:50 PM

That's a possibility. Swap in a new starter and see what happens, but not before you do some maintenance ... fluids might need to be changed after 3 months of sitting. And do something about that gas in the tank.

*2000StreetRod* · 03-01-2010, 10:03 AM

If, as you said, it ran fine three months ago then the only problem now should be battery charge/connection related. You've installed a new battery and I assume cleaned the connections. You can rotate the engine by hand but not with the starter. The starter gear may be stuck against the ring gear. I would disconnect the battery, remove the starter and have it tested. If it passes then clean the electrical connections to the starter before reinstalling it.

McSlug · 03-01-2010, 11:08 AM

Make sure your battery clamps are connected tight. I jump started my friends car the other day then mine wouldn't crank next day. I tightened the clamps and fired fist kick.
If you can turn by hand it has to be charge related. The starter is high drain and with bad connections it will start to engage then stop that is the click sound

Lzwo · 03-01-2010, 04:12 PM

+1 on checking the terminal clamps. Been there, done that.

Also, I had a similar problem awhile ago - disconnected, cleaned and reconnected both + and - cables at the battery and starter/grounds. The main cable connection to the starter was so corroded, I'm surprised it ever started. No problems since a good cleaning and tightly reconnected.

You've checked all the fuses, right? Just to make sure you didn't short something while removing the old or putting the new one in? I've (on occasion) been less then dilligent about manhandling the battery/cables, and seen some sparks fly.

Lzwo · 03-01-2010, 04:14 PM

+1 on checking the terminal clamps. Been there, done that.

Also, I had a similar problem awhile ago - disconnected, cleaned and reconnected both + and - cables at the battery and starter/grounds. The main cable connection to the starter was so corroded, I'm surprised it ever started. No problems since a good cleaning and tightly reconnected.

You've checked all the fuses, right? Just to make sure you didn't short something while removing the old or putting the new one in? I've (on occasion) been less then dilligent about manhandling the battery/cables, and seen some sparks fly.

And, you're sure the new battery has a charge, yes? I've gotten some from wallyworld before that had a bad cell and/or wouldn't hold a charge. That is frusterating.

P Mark · 03-01-2010, 06:22 PM

i had same problem try starting in neutral or i would check your gears behind the dash make sure its not slipping out of park

do any of the electronics start?
the 2nd gen explorers have an electronic fuel cut off so try it in neutral and see waht happens

02-28-2010, 07:09 PM	#1
metalforsale Wannabe Elite Explorer md 1999 mercury mountaineer Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	engine won't turn over--new battery I have a 1999 mercury mountaineer. It is an automatic with 5.0l eng. 150,000 miles. It has been sitting for 3 months. it ran fine b4 that. I tried to start it but it would not turn over. so I got a new battery. Now, The starter clicks and tries to turn the motor but it sounds like something is keeping the motor from turning over.Seems like I can hear a sound of metal to metal hitting. I banged on the starter with a hammer a few times. I was able to turn the motor with a large ratchet. Any suggestions??? thanks

03-01-2010, 10:03 AM	#5
2000StreetRod Elite Explorer Greenville, SC 2000 Sport SOHC 2WD Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5,575 Vehicle Specs	Sitting for 3 months If, as you said, it ran fine three months ago then the only problem now should be battery charge/connection related. You've installed a new battery and I assume cleaned the connections. You can rotate the engine by hand but not with the starter. The starter gear may be stuck against the ring gear. I would disconnect the battery, remove the starter and have it tested. If it passes then clean the electrical connections to the starter before reinstalling it. __________________ My Helpful Threads, Registry, 16.4/23 mpg, 3900 lbs, 5R55E, 3.73:1, 175 rwhp, Henson custom tune, CAI, Spectre air filter, Lightning 90mm MAF, 75mm throttle body, A/F ratio meter, synthetic oils, Accusump, 2 row radiator, 3+1 leaf springs, .75 inch drop, Edelbrock IAS lowering shocks, engine oil & ATF temp gauge & remote filters & coolers, remote crank

03-01-2010, 06:22 PM	#9
P Mark Wannabe Elite Explorer Birmingham AL '97 XLT Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 90 Vehicle Specs	i had same problem try starting in neutral or i would check your gears behind the dash make sure its not slipping out of park do any of the electronics start? the 2nd gen explorers have an electronic fuel cut off so try it in neutral and see waht happens __________________ Patrick Markey 1997 Explorer XLT SOHC V6 205K miles. Stock....But not for long

02-28-2010, 07:46 PM	#3
metalforsale Wannabe Elite Explorer md 1999 mercury mountaineer Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for your reply. The engine won't crank at all. It s almost like the engine is locked up, but i can turn it with a wrench. Never a problem b4 it sat for 3 months. Could the starter be locked up??

03-01-2010, 11:08 AM	#6
McSlug Wannabe Elite Explorer Perth Western Australia 98 Explorer Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 153 Vehicle Specs	Make sure your battery clamps are connected tight. I jump started my friends car the other day then mine wouldn't crank next day. I tightened the clamps and fired fist kick. If you can turn by hand it has to be charge related. The starter is high drain and with bad connections it will start to engage then stop that is the click sound

03-01-2010, 04:12 PM	#7
Lzwo Wannabe Elite Explorer Tallahassee, FL 1997 Mountaineer 5.0L Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 22 Vehicle Specs	+1 on checking the terminal clamps. Been there, done that. Also, I had a similar problem awhile ago - disconnected, cleaned and reconnected both + and - cables at the battery and starter/grounds. The main cable connection to the starter was so corroded, I'm surprised it ever started. No problems since a good cleaning and tightly reconnected. You've checked all the fuses, right? Just to make sure you didn't short something while removing the old or putting the new one in? I've (on occasion) been less then dilligent about manhandling the battery/cables, and seen some sparks fly.

03-01-2010, 04:14 PM	#8
Lzwo Wannabe Elite Explorer Tallahassee, FL 1997 Mountaineer 5.0L Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 22 Vehicle Specs	+1 on checking the terminal clamps. Been there, done that. Also, I had a similar problem awhile ago - disconnected, cleaned and reconnected both + and - cables at the battery and starter/grounds. The main cable connection to the starter was so corroded, I'm surprised it ever started. No problems since a good cleaning and tightly reconnected. You've checked all the fuses, right? Just to make sure you didn't short something while removing the old or putting the new one in? I've (on occasion) been less then dilligent about manhandling the battery/cables, and seen some sparks fly. And, you're sure the new battery has a charge, yes? I've gotten some from wallyworld before that had a bad cell and/or wouldn't hold a charge. That is frusterating.