Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Duratec, problem starting after trans rebuild

Just got my car back yesterday after getting the tranny rebuilt (Chain broke!). After the rebuild, I received a call from the mechanic asking if I had been having problems with it starting? After responding with a resounding "NO!" he tells me that when you turn the key on, all normal dash lights come on, but when the key is turned to ingauge the starter nothing happens. I told me that the car had been towed 200 miles to his shop and pointed him to the fuel pump shut off switch and noted that the flasher's had been on the whole time during the tow (roughly 4 hours) so the battery may be dead or weak. He told me that he knew it was not that, he had already checked - plus you can hear the pump prime up after key on. I told him that I figured that either something was not wired correctly.

Yesterday they got it cranked and I went to pick it up. Of course when I get in..., it would not start. Just as they discribed. I noticed that the "Eye" on the battery was shining red, so I knew the battery was dead. For some reason though, we cleaned the post and battery connectors and it cranked right up. Ok! Why in the hell did this thing turn over, muchless crank, with a dead battery? During the 20 mile drive home, I noticed that the battery light would flicker. Not flash or really come on. Just quick half illuminations. Once I got home, I found the "Eye" of the battery was shinning bright green. Well the alternator is chargeing.

This morning I got in and the same story all over. This time, as close to getting it started was giggleing the positive cable and getting the starter to click! Found a good bit of acid build-up under the insulation of the cable so I cut it back past all the build-up and replaced the connector with a new one. Still nothing!!

The fact that the mechanic called me about the starting problem does not really surprise me. This is a transmission only shop. They don't troubleshoot starting issues on a day to day basis. But I am stumped. I dug down to the starter to make sure everything there was properly connected and everything was fine. Actually, it looks like it was never touched. I have yet to get to the alternator. What is the easiest way to access this item?

Phillip Jackson
Smithville, MS
`98 Myst LS

How old is the battery, they don't last forever.

Sounds like a potential problem with transmission or other interlocks. They may not have connected then properly.

Try getting a jump start from another battery to see if the problem goes away with a fresh supply of power. The little eyes on the battery aren't exactly reliable indicators of a good battery... If it turns over reliably with the jump, your battery is bad. If it doesn't turn over, problem is wiring or the starter. Try wiggling the shifter and/or clutch pedal to see if it's a interlock like dellowm mentioned.

that sounds like my problem. the car starts fine after the trans (ATX) rebuild now that the starter, alternator, and 4 batteries have been replaced. the starter im told was a recall, which is why it was fixed under warranty. for some reason the car eats batteries like cheap candy. my system isn't really taxing it, and i don't have much other wiring that would draw current. par for the course

I found what the problem was. Yes! It was one of those things that makes you hit yourself really hard for being so stupid. The negitive battery cable was not bolted at the trans/engine block. Since the bolt was missing, I removed the air intake and installed the neg cable to the trans mount located directly below it. Also the positive and negitive cables when damaged during the repair of the trans. I could tell because the copper wire inside the cable was very shiney. You could also tell they were damaged from being pulled out of the way. The insulation was all piled up at the end of each rip.

The battery turned out to be ok, but I am going to replace it anyway. Sounds a little weak when starting the car in the mornings. Exspecially since it is starting to get a little colder at nights.

Phillip Jackson
Smithville, MS
98 Mystique LS