No Start...No Nothing

[SilverAtx]

Hi All, I got an odd problem and was hoping for some insight. I have a 98 Duratec ATX which has surprisingly had little problems...till now and I'm stumped.

The problem is...she wont start. Its odd, The battery tests at 12.66 volts and is fairly new. All accessories work and the headlights dont look dim or anything. When I turn the key I hear the fuel pump run but the car doesnt try to start. Not even a click or any sound of strain from the engine. So i'm thinking juice isnt getting to the starter or the starter is bad. Its never had a hard time starting before at all. So, i'm hoping its the ignition switch or maybe starter relay? I dunno. Those are obviously the easiest things to fix. Unfortunately my GF parked it on a slant so I cant jack it up to check out the starter right now. I checked all the fuses that should matter and they look fine. Another option is the PATS anti theft thing. So when I turn the key in the ignition...my red led goes solid for a sec...then off completely so I believe thats an indication the pats is working correctly...I think. .... Any help out there would be really appreciated. I need my commuter car back.

Tried to write this up as clear as i could but I just got off of a 14 hr work shift...nights at that, so i'm brain dead at the moment. :crazy:

Thx!

 

[beyondloadedSE]

Everything youve said I would agree with. If its not even turning over, I would check the starter first like you said. If you have a voltmeter, check the starter and see whats going on. I would definetely rather have it be that than a pats issue.

 

[Tony2005]

Welcome . If it is an intermittent PATS issue, 9 times out of 10, disconnecting the battery will reset it and it will fire up right after that. When you turn the ignition to on, does the Check Engine Light come on for a 5 to 10 seconds? (to determine if power is going to the PCM-"brain").

 

[ottawanker]

The problem is...she wont start. Its odd, The battery tests at 12.66 volts and is fairly new. All accessories work and the headlights dont look dim or anything. When I turn the key I hear the fuel pump run but the car doesnt try to start. Not even a click or any sound of strain from the engine.

I've had this problem several times, though with my '95 5-speed v6.. My solution was to remove the starter connector, try to get the starter out, realize that theres no way I could do it with the tools on hand, put the connector back on, and have it magically work. 2 or 3 times since then I've had the same problem, and just removing and replacing that connector has solved the problem. Something you might want to try, don't know how easy it would be on an auto, but on the manual you have good access as soon as you remove the air intake hoses.

 

[SilverAtx]

Cool thx for the idea's. I'll try playing with the starter connections as soon as I can. Oh and I forgot to mention that I did try the battery trick to reset the pcm but still nada. Unfortunately I have to head out to work now but I'll have some time to work on it sunday and I'll post any findings. Thanks guys.

 

[SilverAtx]

Found the problem. I was removing my air intake to check my starter connections when i noticed a small loose black wire. I grabed it and in the process accidentally drag'd the exposed end of the wire accross the positive battery terminal. As soon as it touched..i heard the starter whine up. Ah Ha..turns out this wire comes off of the funky wire bracket on that side of the battery..the connection must have corroded and broke free. Its small insignificant looking wire and its covered where it connects to the bracket but looks like after time moisture got in there and took its toll. I fixed the connection and presto the car is normal again. Thx to all that responded. I'm just happy it was so simple after all. Good thing I didnt go out buying random parts trying to fix it. :crazy:

didnt take pics...was dark and cold and rain was coming. I'm sure if you all look at the positive terminal of ur battery, you'll see what i'm talking about. hard to explain

 

[Tony2005]

Found the problem. I was removing my air intake to check my starter connections when i noticed a small loose black wire. I grabed it and in the process accidentally drag'd the exposed end of the wire accross the positive battery terminal. As soon as it touched..i heard the starter whine up. Ah Ha..turns out this wire comes off of the funky wire bracket on that side of the battery..the connection must have corroded and broke free. Its small insignificant looking wire and its covered where it connects to the bracket but looks like after time moisture got in there and took its toll. I fixed the connection and presto the car is normal again. Thx to all that responded. I'm just happy it was so simple after all. Good thing I didnt go out buying random parts trying to fix it. :crazy:

didnt take pics...was dark and cold and rain was coming. I'm sure if you all look at the positive terminal of ur battery, you'll see what i'm talking about. hard to explain

Battery to Starter Relay cable.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...=6months&Main=1232828&Search=true#Post1232828

 

[AliasJerk]

Found the problem. I was removing my air intake to check my starter connections when i noticed a small loose black wire. I grabed it and in the process accidentally drag'd the exposed end of the wire accross the positive battery terminal. As soon as it touched..i heard the starter whine up. Ah Ha..turns out this wire comes off of the funky wire bracket on that side of the battery..the connection must have corroded and broke free. Its small insignificant looking wire and its covered where it connects to the bracket but looks like after time moisture got in there and took its toll. I fixed the connection and presto the car is normal again. Thx to all that responded. I'm just happy it was so simple after all. Good thing I didnt go out buying random parts trying to fix it. :crazy:

didnt take pics...was dark and cold and rain was coming. I'm sure if you all look at the positive terminal of ur battery, you'll see what i'm talking about. hard to explain

Congrats my good man. 3 posts and CEG has already helped fix your car

 

[jeffmx5]

I've had this problem several times, though with my '95 5-speed v6.. My solution was to remove the starter connector, try to get the starter out, realize that theres no way I could do it with the tools on hand, put the connector back on, and have it magically work. 2 or 3 times since then I've had the same problem, and just removing and replacing that connector has solved the problem. Something you might want to try, don't know how easy it would be on an auto, but on the manual you have good access as soon as you remove the air intake hoses.

I had the same problem, I *think* I fixed it by re-clamping the Positive cable in the battery clamp. We'll see if the fix sticks.