1998 Contour - Car won't start, won't even turn over

Tiny
SALVERIO70
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD CONTOUR
I have a 1998 Ford Contour GL, 2.0L w/auto with 118,000 miles on it. The car will not start at all. It won't crank, turnover, nothing. The lights all come on as they should. I have replaced the starter, the battery and have checked all connections to make sure they're not corroded. Here's the kicker. It started a couple of times today, all of the sudden, out of the blue. As soon as it seemed it was ok, it went back to the way it used to be. I am very frustrated and am utterly confused. It may be the ignition switch but the couple of times it started seems to rule that out. Please help.
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 AT 12:24 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
SHELBYGT
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Starter solenoid is bad
igintion switch is bad
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 AT 1:11 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Don't under estimate the ignition switch.

Try this get a jumper wire, put key in On position-now take the jumper hook it up on the starter solenoid/relay take other end and tap it to the battery positive terminal-does starter kick?

Probable area: Ignition switch/Neutral Safety switch/Starter relay or starter itself. Maybe the wiring too.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 AT 2:34 AM
Tiny
SALVERIO70
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Don't under estimate the ignition switch.

Try this get a jumper wire, put key in On position-now take the jumper hook it up on the starter solenoid/relay take other end and tap it to the battery positive terminal-does starter kick?

Probable area: Ignition switch/Neutral Safety switch/Starter relay or starter itself. Maybe the wiring too.[/Quote:b70027aa5b]

Turns out it was a lot of things. Totally rewired the leads coming from the battery and any other wire coming from the battery, got a new battery and another starter, replaced a whole bunch of wires that were corroded and/or bad and it finally runs now. A lot of work and not a lot of fun, let me tell you. Thanks for the help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 AT 1:56 PM

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