This car makes me want to punch babies!!?!

[Marker1989]

So in the last week or so my car (88 GT) has developed a no-start issue, but it only does it sometimes and randomly. When it doesnt start all it does is click from the solenoid, no turn-over. Now its happening more often everyday and it left me stranded tonight and would have this morning if it werent for some nice people willing to help push. Im afraid Im just gonna lose it next time this happens and start breaking shit :AR15::flipoff::bangwall:.

[Black Horse]

Start checking your ground wires and straps!

[Mista Bone]

engine to frame ground....

[Marker1989]

All visible grounds are good. What little inside grounds would affect this that I should check?

[inferno50]

Bad battery connection? try cleaning it. been there so many times on mine. I think i have bought three sets of battery terminals and a new battery and none of them have lasted. I dont know what the hell to do either.

[PaulFiveOh]

I relocated my remote solenoid in to my wheel well and I have broke the fucker 3 times from going over a bump with the wheel turned sharp. Then of course I can't jump the solenoid cause the car sits on its nuts and I cant get my hand in there lol. I have to have a friend unload the suspension while i cross the terminals and hope he doesn't break my wrist by letting go lol....

So yea...check grounds, check voltage across either side of the solenoid, make sure you see 12 on both sides when you "hear it click". Also try jumping the solenoid to determine where "in line" the problem is..Ie: before or after the solenoid.

[1992MustangDW]

not calling you dumb, but when he says jump the solenoid he means take a screw driver and touch both post together. Make sure its in neutral or park

[Marker1989]

Battery n all wires, mini starter, and tfi module are all new. My remote solenoid is also in the fender, but its out of the way of any moving parts. This car has been running and starting fine for the last few months after the build, yet this develops as it gets cold out??

[blown86lx]

Im no genius either but how bout more CCA. Get a truck battery with 850 CCA for that thing

[INSANEBA]

I had a similar problem with mine about 3 weeks ago. I would jump in the car in the morning and it would be fine, but if I shut it down and jumped in it shortly after it would crank super slow or click. I let it go for about 4 days, and it was to the point that it wouldnt start at all. I noticed the neg cable was smoking, and super hot. I started playin with it and noticed it was loose from the terminal end that was made onto it. I ended up replacing the neg cable and terminal and have had no probs with it. I knew my optima wasnt the issue....

[INSANEBA]

Not to mention those batt cables can be tricky, they will look great but will be so nasty green inside of the coating that it wont work. Check for hard spots in the cables, might be the prob!

[mustangboy]

I would also agree that you are having a grounding issue somewhere, a bad battery cable or possible a bad cell in your battery. Try to find a place that has one of the good digital battery testers. It could very well just be a bad battery. I had the same symtoms lately and it was just a bad battery.

[djom1cincy]

I like to drop kick babies myself. More of a challenge.

[sean]

When I sold cars the first REALLY cold snap would kill batteries. As long as you get the same response when jumping the solenoid it may be the battery. Of course your starter may be going out as well and not able to turn freely. I would start by having the battery checked and checking both pos and neg battery cables. The fact that it started doing this after it got cold points in the direction of the battery imo.

[Marker1989]

I will check the cables and battery. Its just weird to me cuz theres no turning over slow like a low battery, just a click and nothing. That or it fires up fine..

[sean]

My truck (hilbilly) would do that. I would hit the key and it would either start or a single click. If i kept hitting the kep it would finally catch and start. I put on another starter and no problems since. Gen if it clicks fast over and over its the solinoid. One click is usually battery connection or in my case the starter.

[Kevin1989]

is what it did a couple days ago when we had the slickies on it what your talking about? that was odd. it started first try pulling out then nothing down the street lol

[PaulFiveOh]

Mark,

That click is your remote solenoid closing (or at least trying to close). Deducing from your posts, it sounds as if the solenoid is either literally freezing or is just 'froze' in general. The part is $14 at Advanced. I'd advise you replace it and go from there.

(oops I called you Mark cause I misread your username, oh well Mark LOL)

[dragula1986gt]

i just had same problem check battery connection s clean and use brass termanals ford has this problem along with vacums brass ends will help hope this info can help you

[Marker1989]

Haha, well my name is Mark anyway. I have another solenoid laying around, Ill put that in tonight and report back. Kevin, that is what its doing but more often now. Another thing to mention, when it doesnt start it doesnt start, no matter how many tries I give it.

[motox159]

Had that problem on my 85 back in the day, it did turn out to be the solenoid. Hope you get it figured out, I remember mine stalling on 32 in easgate, rush hour...had to hop out and put the jumper pack on then the light turned red...pissed alot of people off that day lol.

[mustang8998]

Next time it does that, have someone hit the starter, while turning the key to start. I mean, literally hit it. Use a piece of 2x4, or something semi soft. Sometimes a starter will develop a dead spot in the stator (I think that's what it is called) and hitting it will nudge it enough, to make it spin.

I've had this issue, on different makes of cars and even on diesel trucks.

[sean]

Next time it does that, have someone hit the starter, while turning the key to start. I mean, literally hit it. Use a piece of 2x4, or something semi soft. Sometimes a starter will develop a dead spot in the stator (I think that's what it is called) and hitting it will nudge it enough, to make it spin.

I've had this issue, on different makes of cars and even on diesel trucks.

I have done this also... It usually works....ONCE

[Marker1989]

Next time it does that, have someone hit the starter, while turning the key to start. I mean, literally hit it. Use a piece of 2x4, or something semi soft. Sometimes a starter will develop a dead spot in the stator (I think that's what it is called) and hitting it will nudge it enough, to make it spin.

I've had this issue, on different makes of cars and even on diesel trucks.



The car was clicking like this when I got it all back together and thats what I did then, it worked. Ill have to put a breaker bar in the back and hit it with that next time. I charged the battery tonight and Ill swap solenoids soon and see how all that helps..

[mustang8998]

If hitting the starter worked before, I'd say it's time to replace it.

[cmetalbend]

My moneys on a bad brush in the starter. When they wear down they get crooked and dont mesh up to the eletrical rotor(can't think of the name) but anyway, that's why hitting them somtimes works (it free's em up to re-engauge).:bigthumb

[Marker1989]

Well all I did was charge the battery and it stopped having the issue for the most part. the battery wasnt even low. I wonder if it was just what Sean said about the first bit of cold just killing it. Its not such a problem anymore so Im not too worried, thanks for the ideas dudes!

[mustang429]

check your ignition switch i had that problem it was sticking on there 10 at autozone

[Marker1989]

Wheres the ignition switch located? This car is a wiring nightmare anyway and Im picking up a new shell in the next few days.

[sean]

Very cool. I am glad it is working for you now.