Originally posted by ConnContour:
Interesting problem. This only happenswhen the car is warm/hot and has been sitting for a short period of time. Pulled into a gas station, filled up and turn the key and all of the lights go on, but no starter engagement. No noises, clicking, whirring, nothing. This has happened about 6 times now. The way I've fixed this is to pull on the black wire off of the positive battery terminal until I hear a faint sound like a muffled "pong".. I'm guessing a relay, but not sure. Car will start with no problems after that. I've told my local mechanic about the seperate black wire (goes to under the airbox to the starter???)and he informed me that it is in all likelyhood a bad powerblock (wiring harness).
Anyone else have this problem and does that wire indeed go to the starter? No CEL's from this, driveability has been excellent.
97 Contour, 216K, ATX, Duratec.
If the car starts everytime after pulling on the feed wire (yes it is black) it might have a break in it. Take the whole airbox out(this is pretty easy). You will see the starter after you get that out of the way. Inspect the wires and there connections, maybe it's lose or a ring terminal starting to let go, but it is tight in there.
JD a.k.a Fingers
"Don't Panic"
'98 Contour GL 2.0L VCT ATX 88k
'98 Contour LX 2.5L MTX 120k
Street racing can kill
just less of a chance with a 2.0
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