Car won't start, not battery

[humfrz]

I see where ol @Tcoat cleaned that one up back in post #2 ......


humfrz

[tanner]

I have this issue, and this morning after getting my morning coffee, went to start the car...



As soon as I reset the power (have a battery disconnect switch and never had problems with it or power going off while driving - which would be a bad thing), everything came back to life. Got back in the car, it's like as if I tried to start the car but without the clutch depressed. I'm starting to wonder if there's a relay that's acting up....

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tanner

I have this issue, and this morning after getting my morning coffee, went to start the car...



As soon as I reset the power (have a battery disconnect switch and never had problems with it or power going off while driving - which would be a bad thing), everything came back to life. Got back in the car, it's like as if I tried to start the car but without the clutch depressed. I'm starting to wonder if there's a relay that's acting up....

Where in the system is the disconnect switch wired? There are many components that are designed to be powered all the time and it may be messing with them now for some reason. Nothing was changed?

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I ended up removing the starter and took it to get tested, and it turned out to be good as well, which really surprised me. Starter itself looked pretty dirty, so I checked the cables that connected to the starter, and they were incredibly dirty as well; turned out to be the source of the issue! Cleaned them really well and she starts up just fine now, no hesitation whatsoever. Super happy I saved money on parts thanks to you guys

Just a heads up, while they are clean, it's a good time to disassemble the connections to the starter and battery, and put a light coating of dielectric grease anywhere the connections COULD get dirty or corroded in the future.

I had a similar issue with my 2005 FXT, and found a few connections that were beginning to fail from age/heat/mileage. I built a new charge and ground harness from scratch with beefy 4awg wire, crimped, soldered, and heat shrunk connections, and dielectric greased every contact point. Terminals look perfect still.

[tanner]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Where in the system is the disconnect switch wired? There are many components that are designed to be powered all the time and it may be messing with them now for some reason. Nothing was changed?

It's a "big green knob" as they call it.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Termi.../dp/B00B2ATRGK

And yes, before I untightened it to disconnect and tightened to reconnect the power, the thing was on tight. Absolutely no corrosion on the battery terminals.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tanner

It's a "big green knob" as they call it.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Termi.../dp/B00B2ATRGK

And yes, before I untightened it to disconnect and tightened to reconnect the power, the thing was on tight. Absolutely no corrosion on the battery terminals.

HMMMM that certainly should not be it then. Maybe the clutch switch itself? There have been a few reports of issues with them but usually something on the car had been changed that was the root cause.

[tanner]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

HMMMM that certainly should not be it then. Maybe the clutch switch itself? There have been a few reports of issues with them but usually something on the car had been changed that was the root cause.

If the clutch switch was not working I wouldn't hear that noticeable click when the engine doesn't start, so believe the clutch switch is okay.

I'm suspecting the starter relay, will be calling up the dealer to see if they have that part and just replace if it and see if the "click only" start behaviour disappears.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tanner

If the clutch switch was not working I wouldn't hear that noticeable click when the engine doesn't start, so believe the clutch switch is okay.

I'm suspecting the starter relay, will be calling up the dealer to see if they have that part and just replace if it and see if the "click only" start behaviour disappears.

True. There would be nothing. You did check the wire connections at the starter like this thread's original outcome was right? (Not being insulting just clarifying)

[tanner]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

True. There would be nothing. You did check the wire connections at the starter like this thread's original outcome was right? (Not being insulting just clarifying)

Plan to when I have time to troubleshoot further.

I just found it odd that there was absolutely no power to the entire car so one thing for sure, it would be a problem that's above and beyond the starter.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tanner

Plan to when I have time to troubleshoot further.

I just found it odd that there was absolutely no power to the entire car so one thing for sure, it would be a problem that's above and beyond the starter.

OH! I didn't catch there was no power at all. Then why replace the starter relay?

[tanner]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

OH! I didn't catch there was no power at all. Then why replace the starter relay?

Gotta start somewhere

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by tanner

Gotta start somewhere

Start with the connections then move on to replacing parts. Replacing random parts to trouble shot is throwing money away.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by tanner

Gotta start somewhere

....... pay attention.....

If the car has no power ....... either the battery has no electrons ...... or something is not letting them out of the battery.

So, there be your starting point(s) .......


humfrz

[guybo]

Originally Posted by tanner

It's a "big green knob" as they call it.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Termi.../dp/B00B2ATRGK

And yes, before I untightened it to disconnect and tightened to reconnect the power, the thing was on tight. Absolutely no corrosion on the battery terminals.

Sometimes snow birds down here use those. They are junk. They can look great, no corrosion and still not work. Knife switches are the same.

That said if you have power that's not it. Sometimes I go to start my car and it acts like the clutch isn't pushed in and won't start. I have to adjust that switch. To get it to start when that happens I have to stomp the clutch like I'm pushing it through the floor.