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Engine will not crank

Tiny
KEVINSMILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
We had to replace the alternator belt and in the process of doing so we forgot to unhook the battery and the wrench arked a spark when undoing the power to the alternator. I got the belt replaced and got everything back together and now we have power to the headlights but that's it. No dome lights, dash lights and no power to the ignition, but we can hear a click noise come from the distributor area. All the guests are good and the relays are good. It has got me stumped.
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 7:54 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,317 POSTS
Hi,

Have you checked the main alternator fuse in the underhood fuse box? That is where I would start. In addition to checking the fuse, confirm there is power in and out from it.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Next, pic 1 below shows the entire wiring schematic for the charging system. I highlighted the fuse. Pics 2 and 3 are to help locate the fuse I'm referring to.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care and God Bless.

Joe
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
KEVINSMILLER
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Hey, thanks for the information. We've been checking everything but the relay and that fuse in that fuse box. I went out for a little while with a multimeter to check some of the relays and the linked fuse and noticed that there is.8 going to the alternator and to that fuse box and the starter. I couldn't get under the vehicle do to the rain but I think it might also be an inline fuse but don't know where to start with them.
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,317 POSTS
Kevin,

I'm not seeing a fusible link in the schematic. The idea that you are only getting 0.8v, go back to the battery. First, confirm it is good. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight. Since you get that voltage at both the alt and starter, it sounds like a bad connection. If you look at the schematic (pic 1 above), note that power goes to the starter separately from the alternator. So the problem has to be back at the battery. Otherwise, you would still see 12v at the fuses and starter. Start at the beginning, the battery.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
KEVINSMILLER
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  • 8 POSTS
I have ran the voltmeter through some of the relays and some fuses and they read 12.4 -12.8 the starter and alternator and if I remember the distributor read.8.
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,317 POSTS
If nothing else is working other than the headlamps, there has to be an issue with one of the mega fuses under the hood. By any chance have you checked them? Also, at the starter, there are two wires. The larger one is straight from the battery, so that should always have 12v. The smaller one should only have 12v when the key is in the start position. Did you check that one as well? It is the 140 amp fuse shown above.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
KEVINSMILLER
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  • 8 POSTS
I haven't checked anything today. I figured it has to be one of the relays or a fuse, but I haven't been able to do too much today I thank you guys for the input because I would still be at a loss. I usually have a reader so I could read the errors.
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You are very welcome. Let me know what you find or if you need help.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
KEVINSMILLER
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Thank you Joe.
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
KEVINSMILLER
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Thank you Joe for all the info you gave me. It was the 140 amp fuse it was blown. It's replaced and we have power to everything and started up on the first try.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

You are very welcome. I'm glad to hear it's working again. Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions. You're always welcome here.

Take care of yourself,

Joe
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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 AT 3:59 PM

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