Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting any ideals

I have a 98 ford contour. Every once in a while when I go to start it if will not engage starter. Here like a electrical noise. Thought must be starter. Wrong just replaced and it did it today. I just turn ignition off and it will fire up. Maybe take 2 or 3 times before starts. It just does in random meaning can go a week than it will happen any ideals.

Firstly: Welcome to CEG.. don't get frustrated, you will be fine.

Secondly: We have a troubleshooting forum for these types of posts, and you will get much quicker (and better) help in there.

Now: As for your problem,

It could be your ignition itself, going out and causing poor contact. whereas it could be your starter relay as well.

Do you have any CEL (Check engine light on) codes?
Does your car run fine once started?
Is the problem always correctable by simply turning the ignition to OFF then trying again? (and always works the first time you retry?)


Ray

Also, check the bolts holding the starter level and in place.

My topmost bolt slowly worked its way out about 1/2 an inch and my starter would grind its teeth every once in a while. Once I set it straight again and bolted it in tight, no more problems.

So make sure its not sagging or loose.

Here are the answers. I just had transmission go out. So when guy put new transmission in I said put new starter in because it was easy to get to when he had transmission out. He that thats starter is still under warranty so I will get new on not charge anything to put in. Yes the car runs beautifully. No check engine light. When it happens I do completely turn key off and then try again. Sometimes fires rite up other times takes 2 or 3 times. Other times no problem starts everytime. Its like sometimes it does it other times its doesn't. This is what i was thinking also. Maybe I need to replace the key ignition. Is this what you ment on first post. We'll thanks for quick response new to forum. Sorry about posting in wrong forum and having administrator moving over here.

If I understand what your saying...the starter is sometimes engaging and sometimes not. Do you mean that you hear the starter spinning and not grabbing? If that is what you are saying...then it could be bad news. Is it making like a grinding noise? If so, you might have a problem with rounded teeth on the flywheel. I had the same problem, it would catch sometimes...and then start right up and run fine. Then other times, you need 3 or 4 tries for it to grab. Eventually nothing, and then its pull the transmission to replace the flywheel. You did mention the tranny was out of the car...I would think they would have seen the flywheel if it was bad, so maybe Im just guessing.It might be something to look at if the symptoms are a grinding noise and the starter is spinning though.

NO when it happens the starter doesn't engage at all. You turn the key kinda of here a ennnnn nose but start not engaging. then just turn key off try again. Usaually fires than sometimes maybe twice most ever 3 times.

Ray you mean replace key ignition and starter motor relay. Where is starter motor relay located on 98 contour

I am not being definite on anything, as that would be alot of work to "prove" it was bad. simply swapping parts until you find it is expensive. If you wanted to verify the STARTER is good, you could verify at the starter terminals while someone is turning they key (while it is NOT working)

Ray