Sometimes starter works, sometimes doesnt - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

chevanater · 12-03-2004, 14:57

Heres my problem, when I go to start the car about once or twice a day, there will be no noise from the starter at all, like a completely dead battery. The radio works fine and i can hear the fuel pump turn on (its loud). Well i figured out if I take a screw driver and put it between the + and - on the starter soldnoid (with the key in the ignition turned forward) the car will start. I thought it may be a bad solnoid, so I replaced it and still had the problem so i returned the part to the store.

What else could it be? Any wiring to check? Thanks for any input

94TempoGT · 12-03-2004, 19:10

Mine does the same thing. It hasn't done it in a while though. I also started it up the same way you said you did and yes it did start up fine. I was also told bad solenoid by a guy I know but I have yet to replace it so I don't know yet. Sorry I didn't help you any but just letting you know, you aren't the only one

chevanater · 12-03-2004, 23:16

Mine usually does it at LEAST twice a day depending on how many times I start it up

So I dunno what else to do, its getting annoying

dagr8tim · 12-05-2004, 04:27

Bad netural safety switch, try turning the key to on with your foot on the break, shifting into netural, and then crank.

chevanater · 12-06-2004, 08:05

I tried that, and it still wouldnt start

chevanater · 12-06-2004, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevanater

I tried that, and it still wouldnt start

I must have done it wrong last time. Today it wouldnt start and i put it in neutral and it started right up! Thanks a bunch man! Hopefully its a simple replacement..

MizzCherylz · 12-06-2004, 15:35

My car was doing the same thing about a month and a half ago. It would start if I did the screwdriver trick on the solenoid that's mounted on the engine wall, but I've also had to crawl underneath the car and work the solenoid mounted on the starter. My brother took the starter out, had it tested and it was fine, he put it back in my car and I haven't had a problem since. We chalked it down to some fault wiring that for some reason fixed itself after my brother tinkered with it.