My Mechanic Is Stumped '99 Mercury Cougar

THEPHOENIX1313

MEMBER
1999 MERCURY COUGAR

Recently when I started my car I would turn the key and nothing would happen. No noise; nothing. Then after holding it a few seconds I would hear a faint buzzing and holding it a few seconds longer than this and the car started right up. My mechanic didn't know what it was and it always started eventually so I drove it, but the time it took to start it got longer and longer. Now it will not start at all. It's not the battery, could be the fuel pump or some engine problem. I really don't think it is the starter either but my mechanic is stumped. If anyone has any ideas that I could look into it would be most appreciated. The car only has 67,000 miles on it.

4 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

If nothing happens when you turn the key, it is a problem in the starting system. I'm disappointed in your mechanic. It is a trail of where the power stops. You need to find a technican capable of trouble shooting a "no crank" condition. I can guess over the net only. I assume your battery is good and fuly charged, I also assume the cables are clean, tight and have solid continuity. The ignition switch appears to be transferring power based on the buzzing. Is power getting to the starter? If it is, you may need a starter motor.

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Thursday, May 17th, 2007 AT 7:10 PM

THEPHOENIX1313

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4 POSTS

Yeah the battery is good. I was told that if I hit the starter with a tire iron or something while turning the key and it starts than the starter is bad. I did this and nothing. A friend of mine thinks it may be an electrical problem, possibly voltmeter. But really I know nothing about cars. Thanks for all you help.

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Friday, May 18th, 2007 AT 1:58 PM

THEPHOENIX1313

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4 POSTS

I mean maybe I should hook up a voltmeter to the actuator maybe?

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Friday, May 18th, 2007 AT 5:17 PM

THEPHOENIX1313

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4 POSTS

We thought it was something with the actuator first. But now we think it probably is the anti-theft system. I just tried to get a new key and the dealer could not program it, the system wouldn't allow it. I dont know if there is a way to disable the system and still start the car or maybe to reset the system. I unplugged the black wire running to the anti-theft system and plugged it back in, but the system did not reset. I dont know how if there is a way to reset it some other way.

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Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 AT 2:38 PM