Gran Marquis Ignition Problem

RICHARD JOKE

MEMBER
MERCURY MARQUIS

1995 Mercury Gran Marquis
4.6L V8
197k Miles

Scenario:

Insert key into ignition turn to on position. All lights and digital console light up properly.

Attempt to start car. Engine does not crank. No "clicking" noise common with dead battery. All lights and digital console go dark. Second attempt fails due to no power at all.

After a few hours I made another attempt with the same results as above.

Replaced battery. Same results.

Inspected battery cables at terminal and at starter, found no evidence of corrosion.

After "jimmying" the battery cables on the starter side the power returned only to have it go dark again upon ignition attempt.

Have purchased new ground battery cable but would like to get a potential diagnosis from one of y'all before further repairs are attempted.

The guy at O'Reilly's said it could be the "Relay". Unsure if that would affect the digital console.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

If the relay was bad you would not go dark! Ground cable for the battery Could do this.

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Thursday, April 5th, 2007 AT 3:00 PM

RICHARD JOKE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the response. I (and a couple of friends) agree that the symptoms smack of corroded battery cables but I didn't find any corrosion tell-tales.

It could still be deep in the cable I guess.

I'm going to slap on the replacement ground cable tonight.

Also, I'll shoot y'all a paypal when I'm on my home box.

Thanks,

T.