1999 Ford Contour Car wont crank.

CSVTCLONE

MEMBER
1999 FORD CONTOUR
6 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
129,000 MILES

Just bought the car and went to start it and it didnt crank at all. Waited a few minutes, it cranked but didnt start. Went out to look at the engine to see any problems, went back to start it no crank again. Tried again and agian still no crank. I load tested the car by turning on the lights and starting it, the lights did not dim. Other than a faulty starter off the bat, is there any electrical things that would fail? Loose grounds, loose wiring, ignition switch, clutch switch? Id rather check all my options before changing the starter and not solve the issue. Thank you so much for your time.
Sicerely- Stalled Steve

4 Replies

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

Sounds like the starter is on its way out. They usually start acting up right before they stop working. It may be a loose wire also. Prepare your self for the worst - (replacing the starter) if you find a loose wire while checking connections, remove it, clean the terminal, and reinstall.

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Friday, September 24th, 2010 AT 9:00 PM

CSVTCLONE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Just jumped the starter and it cranks fine. Something in between is not letting the power to the starter. I test lighted the nuetral switch and the hot turned to ground when the clutch was pushed in so does that mean its good? All grounds in the engine compartment and solid and doing there job. What else is there?

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Sunday, September 26th, 2010 AT 10:33 AM

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

Sounds like the switch is working. Check all the wiring for the starter. Do you have any power at the starter? It may be the remote wire that comes from your ignition. Check into that, and let us know what you find.

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Sunday, September 26th, 2010 AT 12:46 PM

CSVTCLONE

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3 POSTS

I put the test light on the starter and the battery terminal is hot, I had my helper sit in the car and push in the clutch and turn the key, NO power to any other terminal other than battery side. Under hood fuse box contains starter relay, I switched the relay with a known good one just to make sure and when you turn the key the relay clicks, so Im getting some kind of power from the key to the relay but not to the starter

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Sunday, September 26th, 2010 AT 1:32 PM