SPONSORED LINKS

1967 Ford Mustang Turning Ignition key doesn't turn starter

Tiny
GERLYNN84
  • MEMBER
  • 1967 FORD MUSTANG
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 145,000 MILES
About 1/2 of the time when I turn the key in the ignition switch to the start position nothing happens and there is no sound. I will hear a single click of the starter solenoid in about 1/4 of those no start cases.

If I let the key spring back to the run position and turn it to the start position again the enginge will crank and start just fine 75% of the time.

If turning the key to the start position does not get the starter to work a second time, it will usually turn over on the thrid try. If that doesn't work, I usually get it to fire up by turning the key back to the off position and then turning it to start.

This problem only happens 1/2 of times I try to start the engine. The other 1/2 of the times it turns over fine on the first try.

Within the past 5,000 miles and 4 years this recently restored classic Mustang has had a new battery, rebuilt starter and solenoid, new flywheel, new ignition switch, new starter relay, and heat insulation put on the wire from the relay to the starter motor. All connections and ground points have supposedly been checked for being clean and tight.

My only guess at this point is that there might be an intermittent loose contact between the ignition lock cylinder and the ignition switch going to the primary electrical system of this '68 302 cu. In. Starter and engine.

What are your thoughts?

Gerry
SPONSORED LINKS
Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 11:19 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
All though the starter and the selonoid re new or rebuilt I would look into one of them being falty take starter out and take to autozone if you have one near you they will test the starter for you and the selonoid is 20.00 you could get a nother and see if it is the issue but after you have starter tested and then I would look into the switch not make proper conection
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
GERLYNN84
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Forgot to mention that it happens most frequently in hot weather when the car is warmed up and I try to restart it after less than an hour.

But it has happened in any starting situation cold, hot, damp etc.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
Know so I can get this staight in my head when you turn the key does the engine turn over and not start or is it the engine doesn't turn over and the starter just clicks once
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Sunday, March 8th, 2009 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
GERLYNN84
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
<< jnovack Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

know so I can get this staight in my head when you turn the key does the engine turn over and not start or is it the engine doesn't turn over and the starter just clicks once >>

GerLynn84 reply Tues Mar 10, 2009 9:16 PM

The engine does not turn over about 1/2 of the time I turn the key. The other 1/2 of the time it cranks fine and starts after 5 seconds of cranking or less.

About 20% of the times when it does not crank I hear a single click of the solenoid. The other 80% of the time when it does not crank I hear total silence.

When it will not turn over I let the key bounce back to the run position and turn it to start a second or 3rd time after a short pause. It usually cranks and starts fine on the 2nd or 3rd try.

If I still get silence, I turn the key back to the off position, wait 10 seconds and turn it to start again. Then it usual;ly starts fine.

Sometimes it will crank and start fine 5 times in a row. Sometimes I get silence on the first try 3 times in a row.

I have the no response problem more often in hot weather when the engine is warm after being shut off for a short time (ie. When the electrical resistance is greater). It also has occurred with a cold engine and in cooler or more humid weather.

I have not tried to duplicate the problem in below freezing temeratures.

Thanks for your suggestions and all your help,

GerLynn84
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
What you will need to do is have the starter tested the brushes in the starter may still be bad even though it is a rebuilt starter some places inspect the brushes and if they look good don't change them take starter to autozone and have them test it they do that free if it tests good then we are looking at a bad selonoid I had a 68 gt350 that I put 4 in before finding a good one also make sure all connections are good
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
68BULLITT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
GerLyn84. Did you ever get to the bottom of what your problem was? I have a 1968 GT Fastback that has been a total resto-mod with everything new under the hood, all new wiring from battery (now in trunk) throughout the car, new starter, coiil, MSD ignition, ignition switch, etc. Etc. It has a fuel injected Ford Racing built (crate engine) Boss 302 (pushrod). At any rate, mine is doing exactly the same thing you you descrbed back in 2009 when tring to get it started. Problem seems to be in the electrical system at the ignition switch or back somewhere else. The ignition sitch has to be turned to start an then back to off and then to start relatively quickly and then it fires right up -as long as the radio powers up. If the radio does not power up the first time you turn the ignition key to start, then it won't even fire up on the second try. Oddly, the power comes up to all the gages everytime. Seems to be more of an issue when it is warm or hot after driving around and trying to restart it versus when it is a cold start first thing in the morning. I am pretty sure I have your problem and curious if you ever figured it out since mine seeems to be getting worse. Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, September 29th, 2013 AT 9:16 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Ignition Switch Key Content

VIEW MORE

Sponsored links