Clutch grindage/crank no start?

1996 FORD MUSTANG
160,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • MANUAL
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FRAZIER88
I was away from home and the clutch started making metal on metal grinding sounds in neutral and whenever I engaged the clutch so with no choice but to try and make it home I continued to drive it another 45 miles and about a mile from the house it shut down and now just cranks but no start. I also checked pressure up by fuel rail and there is no fuel pressure. I originally was just going to turn on the key to see if I heard the fuel pump kick on but the wipers come on every time I turn on the key so couldn't hear it.
Aug 13, 2025 at 12:26 AM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,494 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The clutch and no start issue are separate so please start a new thread for the clutch issue, we will handle to "no start" issue on this thread. If the fuel pump goes out or you run out of gas the engine will stall, I would use starting fluid to see if the engine runs which will help confirm the fuel system failure. Please go over this video which can help us get started on fixing the problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&t

Also, I would check the inertia switch which is in the trunk of the car, it might need to be reset. Check out the images (below). Please upload videos of the engine cranking so I can tell what is going on.
Aug 13, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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