First problem since purchased 1998 Mountaineer 5.0 AWD

[MSM0075]

My mother in law called me today at work saying her car wouldent start and the 'Theft' light was on. I asked her what was going on, she said when I try and start it it clicks. She said shes been out running around all day and its been fine. I'm thinking its got something to do with the theft light and how the key may have lost its program. I looked into the theft system on the fourms and found it VERY helpful, so much in fact I found out that it was NOT our current problem.

Anyway. I put a jump box on the car, it does the click upon starting. Normally with my older fords i'd just tap on the solenoid and it'll be fine. It appears that this car does not have a starter solenoid at the inner fender and has a Relay instead? I tryed tapping the solenoid located on the starter, and the stater itself and I get the same problem.

I'm getting the car towed to the house any minute now. I just wanted to post our current problem to see if anyone could give some feedback before I bring home a new starter tomorow.

We've owned this car for a little over two months now. There is 111k on the odo and the starter appears to be the original.

Thanks!

..and that completes my first post :exporange
awesome site! btw

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Moved from Tech Corner- it's not really meant for questions.

Unfortunately, I am lost as to what your problem is.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[rizzjc]

Step 1: Disconnect battery, clean the terminals/clamps, and reconnect.
Step 2: If step 1 doesn't work, then I too am at a loss.

I had this happen to me once. Couldn't jump start it. Then the thing started going crazy (door locks kept locking, non-stop). I disconnected the battery to stop it, then when I hooked it back up, it started right up. It was just a bad ground. Maybe you'll get lucky and it's just something like that.

 

[MSM0075]

Moved from Tech Corner- it's not really meant for questions.

Unfortunately, I am lost as to what your problem is.

And welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry about that. and Thank you

Step 1: Disconnect battery, clean the terminals/clamps, and reconnect.
Step 2: If step 1 doesn't work, then I too am at a loss.

I had this happen to me once. Couldn't jump start it. Then the thing started going crazy (door locks kept locking, non-stop). I disconnected the battery to stop it, then when I hooked it back up, it started right up. It was just a bad ground. Maybe you'll get lucky and it's just something like that.

I'll give that a shot. and let you guys know.

 

[MSM0075]

Picked up a remain Ford Motorcraft starter for the truck. Disconnected battery, Removed old starter. Cleaned Wire connections with wire brush. installed new starer. When I started the car it cranked right away but took awhile to fire up. Perhaps beacuse I had the battery off for over 30 minutes? Also what im noticing now is when I pulled it out of the driveway when I turned the wheel it had some kind of chattering feel to the wheel, as if it was low on fluid. It wasn't like this before the starter issue.. Any ideas?

 

[Turdle]

If the steering wheel was turned with the engine off-it may have an air bubble trapped inside the steering rack-

with the engine running-steer to each extreme several times-
this should bring the steering back to normal

 

[MSM0075]

If the steering wheel was turned with the engine off-it may have an air bubble trapped inside the steering rack-

with the engine running-steer to each extreme several times-
this should bring the steering back to normal

Thats very possible since we had to get it towed from the store to the house so I could install the starter.

 

[MSM0075]

The power stearing is back to normal now. I turned the wheel back and forth to the extreme many times and its okay.

I just adjusted the rear glass, rear glass latch, and rear hatch to my standards.

Next is the problem with the heat being always on no matter what position the climate is set to unless on MAX A/C. I've read that thats the "Blend Door".