luhar

Hello,
I have a 98 Taurus, 174,000 miles, 3L V6 and I'm having a starting problem. About 4 months ago I turned the key and heard a click as if the battery were dead or the starter went out. Thinking it was the battery, I jumped it and it started fine, I had no problems for about a month, then, the exact same thing happened but this time I just sat in the car and waited for a couple of minutes. While I was waiting I heard a clicking in the dash, which seemed to come from the drivers side, I then turned the key and the car started immediately. Again, no problems for about a month. Then the exact same thing happened again, this time I just jiggled the battery cables - got in the car - heard the clicking in the dash and started the car and had no problems for a few weeks. Then I had the problem again. I tried all the solutions listed above and nothing worked, not even jumping the vehicle. With jumper cables hooked up, I tried the headlights to check the power - everything worked. Then I tried starting the car with the headlights on and jumper cables hooked up and it started. Now I have not had the problem for a couple of weeks but expect it shortly.

The battery cables and terminals are free of corrosion, everything looks clean. Load test on the battery says it's good and the starter was changed about two years ago. I have a suspicion that this problem has something to do with an electrical connection in dash since the power (stereo, interior lights etc.) goes on and off when the car will not start.
Any suggestions??

Bert

During the times that it wouldn't crank, did the headligts work?

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Bert