Cranks but won't start, I have a new battery

Tiny
SPACEDUST44
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 FORD MUSTANG
  • 43,000 MILES
1986 ford mustang I replaced the solenoid, the car started but then after I cranked it 4 times it didnt want to start. I put a screw driver across tthe solenoid to bypass it and it cranked. I am not sure what the problem is. THe battery is new and replaced solenoid, battery, checked starter good
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 1:38 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Have you checked the starter relay? Starter solenoid? Are you getting power to the starter when the key is in the start position?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 1:42 AM
Tiny
SPACEDUST44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I replaced the the starter solenoid and battery and had the starter checked and it was good. THe car was cranking and running but after I tried to crank it about the forth time the car didnt want to crank. When I put a screw driver across the solenoid terminals to bypass the solenoid, the car cranked. I am not sure if I got a bad solenoid or if it is another problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 1:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If it was doing the same thing before, chances are the solenoid is fine. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check if there is power to the starter. IF there is, I question the starter. If there is no power, you need to trace the power supply all the way back to the ignition switch to determine where the power is lost.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 2:31 AM
Tiny
SPACEDUST44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How can I determine if it is the ignition switch that is giving me the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 4:10 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
It would need removed and I recommend having and auto electric shop to check it. There are several things that need to be checked for continunity, open circuits. It's a pain and easy to make a mistake.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 4:21 AM
Tiny
SPACEDUST44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The thing I dont understand is that wasnt starting with the old solenoid unless I put a screw driver across the terminals and then it would crank. When I replaced the solenoid and put the new one on the car was cranking But like I said after the 4th time I tried cranking it, it didnt crank. When I decided to put the screw driver across the solenoid terminals then it would crank. Same problem as the old solenoid but it didnt do it in the beginning. I was just wondering why.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Top half of this may help....if you do "EXACTLY" what it says

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1992-ford-ranger-wont-start

Good Luck!

Return with wonderful news!

The Medic
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 4:35 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
That is a good question. It could be a wire that has broken under the insulation, a bad connection that worked when you moved the wiring around. For the heck of it, check the wiring for any evidence of damage. Also, move them around to see if that changes anything. Remove the wiring and then replace it to see if it works again. If any of these cause it to work, then you have a wiring issue.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 4:37 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
Instructional repair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have identified the top problems that are easily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the repair garage or calling a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE