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Will not start just clicks

Tiny
MARCUS585894
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD ESCORT
  • 180,000 MILES
Starter just clicks, no radio or some light and not all of the dash lights come on.
Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 5:02 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,268 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

First, when you only get a click from the starter, either the starter is bad, you have a very weak battery, or you have a bad connection to the battery.

Here are a few links to review. They discuss in detail what I mentioned.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

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

The above links show how to check a battery, clean and inspect battery terminals, and how to check a starter. Check those things and let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
MARCUS585894
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I checked battery it is new and holding a good charge. Cleaned battery cables still nothing. Need to check starter tomorrow. Would and starter not let the radio or some light come on? Headlights work.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
MARCUS585894
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I mean the dome light will not come on.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,268 POSTS
The starter and interior lights/radio are on separate circuits, so that should not happen. Have you checked fuses?
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
MARCUS585894
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes I have checked fuses all good. Whatever it is it all started when the starter would just click.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,268 POSTS
That is a tough one. The first thing I think of is a ground issue. Check the main ground from the battery to the engine block. Then, check if there are additional grounds from the battery ground to the body. See if anything is corroded, loose or damaged.
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Saturday, September 22nd, 2018 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
MARCUS585894
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I took the ground cable off cleaned good put it back on and the car started right up. For some reason the dome light still does not come on bulb may be blown. Thanks for your help.
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,268 POSTS
Happy to help. Let me know if you have other questions. By the way, there was a technical service bulletin for intermittent dome light issues. It is not a recall, but the TSB indicated there were several concerns. I attached the diagnosis flow chart for you to see in case the bulb itself is not the issue.

I hope this helps you.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 AT 7:30 PM

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