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91 Ford Crown Vic starting issue.


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pretend7979
New User

Sep 23, 2012, 12:04 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2380 views)
91 Ford Crown Vic starting issue. Sign In

Thanks in advance for any help.

Year of vehicle: 1991
Make of vehicle (Ford/ Chevrolet): Ford
Model of vehicle ( Taurus/ Cavalier): Crown Vic
Engine size (2.0/ 5.7): 5.0 - 302
Mileage/Kilometers: Around 160xxx


I woke up one morning, about a week ago, and tried to head out to work. Clunk, the car wouldn't start. I am not entirely useless when it comes to auto repair, I am however young and still inexperienced. I know a few things about vehicles not starting. I am hoping this isn't the starter because it's not very easy to access, isn't that the way it always goes. Going forward, as I said it makes a clunk sound, 1 single clunk, and doesn't try to turn over.
So I had my wife try to turn it over while I listened, it sounded as if it was coming from the Starter solenoid (EEC). I took a screwdriver and did the ol' ford trick of touching the positive and the negative, alas no spark whatsoever. So I replaced it, but to no avail, It continues to make 1 single Clunk. I tried the screwdriver trick with the new solenoid and it sparks but, still doesn't turn over. Everything has power, I am fairly certain it isn't the battery, just because of the sound it is making. I can listen to the radio, the lights work, nothing is dim like the battery is low.
So I am thinking Fuseable link, or starter, I hope I am wrong and just missing something obvious.



(This post was edited by pretend7979 on Sep 23, 2012, 12:07 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 23, 2012, 1:56 PM

Post #2 of 5 (2340 views)
Re: 91 Ford Crown Vic starting issue. Sign In

You are hearing a single "clunk" as you put it so power is getting to trigger wire at solenoid. Now, is the noise from down at the starter or up at that solenoid when hood open and a helper goes to crank it? A solid clunk down at starter could need more info. A light click and loss of power to other items right then is a bad battery connection - at battery, solenoid on to starter and the ground - both ends known clean and good.

If this can make a good solid knock/clunk at starter motor itself it would make me wonder about how tight the engine is - scary thought. experienced ear would just know by the sound.

Try battery connections at battery first and see if it will jump with booster cables for quick and easy test for now and dig into this more if that does nothing to help,

T



nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Sep 23, 2012, 6:18 PM

Post #3 of 5 (2323 views)
Re: 91 Ford Crown Vic starting issue. Sign In

Do you have a voltmeter and the knowledge to use it? Don't guess that the battery is good either. It may show 12.6v just sitting there but fail to deliver the needed amps under load. Parts stores will usually test them for free. All the cable connections shiny clean and tight? Tom was mentioning this as well. They must be good and clean in order to let a good battery start this car. Once you have clean connections at all ends of the cables including at the starter and a tested good battery you will either have a good running car or will need to do voltage drop tests on the starting circuit to see what the issue is. Don't automatically put a starter in it or you could be throwing away money. Could be a bad cable. Let us know what you find and if you get to needing to do the drop tests I will walk you through it.


greasy one
User

Sep 25, 2012, 9:09 PM

Post #4 of 5 (2277 views)
Re: 91 Ford Crown Vic starting issue. Sign In

  Next he could check for bad spot on starter. My good ole Sub. has one. I keep A 1/2 ratchet in the car all set with socket and turn the crank every few months. Works great, but took years to figure out. New battery's galore.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 26, 2012, 3:50 AM

Post #5 of 5 (2274 views)
Re: 91 Ford Crown Vic starting issue. Sign In


Quote
Next he could check for bad spot on starter. My good ole Sub. has one. I keep A 1/2 ratchet in the car all set with socket and turn the crank every few months. Works great, but took years to figure out. New battery's galore.


And that wouldn't have anything at all to do with a starter. It's the flywheel you are moving and that's not an electrical issue at all.



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