DIED!! Wont Start

[Diddy74]

Ok I'm really at a loss. My EX Died on me tonight..Drove ALL weekend made round trip to Philly Sunday. Engine was as smooth as ever..did a Seafoam Friday. Then tonight it just died, wouldnt start...Its not the battery..all lights and accessories work..got a boost...no change. It wont even attempt to turn over no clicking. After I decompress fhaving to pay $75 to get a tow home i'm going back down to check the fuses/relays and the fuel cut off switch.. SO my question is if it's none of those what could it be? Starter, Ignition coil, soilenoids? Any input would be greatly greatly appreciated!

 

[Blee1099]

Ok I'm really at a loss. My EX Died on me tonight..Drove ALL weekend made round trip to Philly Sunday. Engine was as smooth as ever..did a Seafoam Friday. Then tonight it just died, wouldnt start...Its not the battery..all lights and accessories work..got a boost...no change. It wont even attempt to turn over no clicking. After I decompress fhaving to pay $75 to get a tow home i'm going back down to check the fuses/relays and the fuel cut off switch.. SO my question is if it's none of those what could it be? Starter, Ignition coil, soilenoids? Any input would be greatly greatly appreciated!

Okay so you don't hear clicking.. Defiantely could be the starter or starter related. What I recommend doing is putting the key to the ON position and getting a screw driver or pair of pliers and hit the two terminal ends on the starter solenoid on the drivers side fender well in the engine compartment. If the truck turns over, then chances are the starter solenoid is bad or the wires to it. If you hear the starter trying to start but it doesn't wanna turn over, you can try tapping on the starter while cranking the truck over. I would recommend checking for spark. You can pull a wire off a spark plug or just test the coil pack with a multimeter. Hopefully one of the above mentioned methods will work.

 

[Diddy74]

Thanks for your response. I was thinking that, but where I was at I didnt have ANY tools(note to self always carry them) I had a 89 Sable and before that a 87 Escort(loyal Ford man....ok 1 96' camry,totalled it in 2000... back to Ford! )and I used to have to do the samething with a screwdriver every so often to turn her over. I forgot to mention earlier when I did turn the key the check engine, check gage and battery light remained on. Also everything dimmed everytime I turned the key all the way for ignition. 1/4 tank gas. Is the inertia switch on the driver or passenger side? Hopefully its an easy fix...in the dark..and not so cold, its been useasonably warm in the northeast(knock on wood)....

 

[Diddy74]

!!!!!!!! I cant find the problem, temp dropping wind picking up so at daybreak I will be at it again..I searched a few more threads and will try some of the tips mentioned, i'll check he battery cables, the starter and solenoids in daylight. Once again it wont start, turning the key to the ignition position I hear one click, the lights dim then nothing, any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.

 

[marragtop]

If the lights are dimming, then it sounds like it's battery/cable related. Make sure all your connections are good. Any cables that look suspect, peel the housing back to see if the cable is corroded inside. I've seen them where the outside of the cables look great, but the inside is all green and corroded.

 

[Diddy74]

OK THANKS. Now that I have daylight I will try everything from top to bottom!

 

[BigDadys93x]

If its not turning over at all it IS starter related it could be a relay or cables but it is probably the starter itself. Dont even think that it is fuel or spark related (those things will not keep it from turning over). Start with the battery first and go from there. If you are trying to start it and the lights dim when trying to turn it over dont be to concerned it will do that even with a good battery and cables. as far as the lights on the dash staying on , this will also happen when the key is turned on and the car wont start dont be to worried about it! I just had the same problem last week with my wifes 98' Windstar it litteraly started right up with no problems she drove it to the store 1 mile away when she came out it wouldnt turn over . The battery and everything was fine it wouldnt even turn over when jumping the starter selonoid . I went down to Autozone bought a starter put it in and bam its been starting fine ever since. Dont beat yourself up with this it is a very simple thing to troubleshoot. Good luck

 

[Turdle]

starter circuit is fine if lights dim when you turn the key
You sir, need a new starter
Or your engine is seized( doubt that though)

 

[Diddy74]

I have come to the conclusion it is stater related, I cleaned the battery terminals, got another boost and nothing. My next question is where in the blazes in the starter solenoid and starter motor? I looked along the fender wall on the driverside next to the battery for the solenoid..nothing there. Is it in some obscure hard to reach space? Which will probably be my luck! 99xlt 4.0 sohc vinE

 

[BigDadys93x]

I dont know if there was a parts change that year but if its not on the inside fender well it is probably on the starter itself.If its not on the starter Just locate the positive battery cable on the starter and trace it back it will lead you to the selenoid.good luck

 

[Diddy74]

I did a search for part replacment, and yes it appears the solenoid and starter are one unit...Fluck! (my Fuggin luck) Now I just have to find where it is, to my understanding its down under near the front differnetial? Next I need to find somewhere I can buy a rebuilt one cheap at least until payday.. So off to Hunts Point I go.

 

[BigDadys93x]

Starters are relatively cheap and you probably wont find a rebuilt one for your EX you probably can find a brnd new one with the selenoid for 60-80 bucks and you will only need to replace it once.

 

[Diddy74]

Starters are relatively cheap and you probably wont find a rebuilt one for your EX you probably can find a brnd new one with the selenoid for 60-80 bucks and you will only need to replace it once.

Yes this is probably true in 99.9% of these United States but here in NYC a dollar doesnt go that far, prices can be 2-3x's the national average. Even at the same nationwide auto chains! Cheapest I found thus far is $99. Strauss had the audacity to want 195+labor! I always said I can deal with poor perfomance/handling, and tweak it here and there, but please lawd NO electrical issues.. You never see them coming until they pop up at the worst possible time and can be a PITA to isolate when you dont have all the right tools and gadgets at your disposal. Thanks for everyones help and input. Hopefully this will get me back up and running ,then I must take advantage of this warm weather...(60deg in Januaury WTF?) and do my other little "light maintainece" projects...Tie Rods...brake pads...hmmm maybe I can squeeze in a hub/bearing job..while I got the wheels off!.