No Start

[Ken]

Car started fine this morning. Now, turn the key. No starter! No crank, no click. The idiot lights come on, but nothing. Where should I start looking? Starter? Neutral safety switch? Tried jumping, just in case, nothing! 7 yrs old, 34,200 miles. This is not my month for vehicles!

Thanks,
Ken

[Egon Spengler]

Could be the starter

[Ken]

Could be the starterIs my first guess, just wondering if anyone else has had any issues?

Ken

[Zack]

Probably the gear selector problem. Try starting it in neutral.
If that doesnt work, move the gear shifter back and forth.
I had this problem years ago and it went away after a month.

[Ken]

Probably the gear selector problem. Try starting it in neutral.
If that doesnt work, move the gear shifter back and forth.
I had this problem years ago and it went away after a month.Tried that. Just tried again, can hear my door locks locking as I move the shifter back and forth. Any way to check further or over-ride?

Ken

[imorb1994]

What does the PATS light on the dash do, while trying to start it.

[ctrlraven]

Easy thing to check would be what Zack said. I've had a dozen or so times where I have put the vehicle in park and go to turn the key off and it won't turn all the way back. I bump the gear selector foward it and locks in place and key releases. I've had the same issues, with the gear selector while trying to start, turn key on, cycle the gear selector from Park to 1st then back firmly into Park and would start right up. Also check your fuel cut off switch in the trunk, if the red push button is popped up push it back down (maybe someone bumped your car and tripped it) but when you turn the key on if you can hear the fuel pump prime up then it's def. not that. If all this doesn't work and you think it's the starter get under the car with something of wood or metal and tap the starter several or more times

[Ken]

What does the PATS light on the dash do, while trying to start it.Absolutely nothing, no flash or anything? Never paid attention to it? Is there a clue?

Ken

[imorb1994]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45611&highlight=start&page=2
This thread has a few things to try ^^^ and info

[hwy73]

Is the car on its original battery? 7 years old and relatively low miles.... the battery may have enough juice to light the warning indicators but not enough to crank the engine.

[Ken]

Easy thing to check would be what Zack said. I've had a dozen or so times where I have put the vehicle in park and go to turn the key off and it won't turn all the way back. I bump the gear selector foward it and locks in place and key releases. I've had the same issues, with the gear selector while trying to start, turn key on, cycle the gear selector from Park to 1st then back firmly into Park and would start right up. Also check your fuel cut off switch in the trunk, if the red push button is popped up push it back down (maybe someone bumped your car and tripped it) but when you turn the key on if you can hear the fuel pump prime up then it's def. not that. If all this doesn't work and you think it's the starter get under the car with something of wood or metal and tap the starter several or more timeschecked gear selector, Fuel cut off switch, OK. Tapped starter, nothing.

Ken

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Jump that mo fo, like hwy73 said it's probably the battery.

[imorb1994]

Car started fine this morning. Now, turn the key. No starter! No crank, no click. The idiot lights come on, but nothing. Where should I start looking? Starter? Neutral safety switch? Tried jumping, just in case, nothing! 7 yrs old, 34,200 miles. This is not my month for vehicles!

Thanks,
Ken


Is the car on its original battery? 7 years old and relatively low miles.... the battery may have enough juice to light the warning indicators but not enough to crank the engine.


Jump that mo fo, like hwy73 said it's probably the battery.
He stated that he tried that in his first post

[Ken]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45611&highlight=start&page=2
This thread has a few things to try ^^^ and infoThanks, tried searching "won't start" no luck! Looks like a number of things over my head, getting ready to call for a tow, FastMerc gave me a number of suggestions. No luck either!

Ken

[Zack]

If the battery is really dead or has a damaged cell, a jump wont do any good.
Try a battery before a tow, you need the battery anyway!

[Ken]

If the battery is really dead or has a damaged cell, a jump wont do any good.
Try a battery before a tow, you need the battery anyway!Maybe so, but wouldn't I still get a clicking of the starter, and the lights on radio etc. would die out or reset the time. I still have full power.

Ken

[TiTo35]

When my battery died...lights came on, radio, locks, everything but the car. Switched out batteries and that solved my problem. I say try another battery.

[Blackened300a]

When my battery died...lights came on, radio, locks, everything but the car. Switched out batteries and that solved my problem. I say try another battery.

+1
All my lights worked but the starter wouldnt do anything. I put in a new battery and all was well again. Do that first.

[4rgone]

Had my bettery die on me a few weeks ago (sat in the car with the door open fro a long time) and then when I later came to turn it on, I got nothing, no lights not even an attempt at a turn over, just full on flat out dead, luckely I was able to get it jumped. I took the car in for it's 30,000 and they checked the battery said it was good but low on charge and I should get it changed soonish. Don't know if that helps at all.

[Marauderjack]

In most modern cars the PCM will shut down all the high current items if the battery voltage falls below 11.5 or so......this prevents damage to the starter and other components!!:beer:

You can have a bad cell and still have enough juice to run light drain stuff like the radio.

I'd try a new battery before towing...like Zack said!!

[Bluerauder]

If the battery is really dead or has a damaged cell, a jump wont do any good.
Try a battery before a tow, you need the battery anyway!
I'd clean up the battery terminals first to see if it helps at all. Could be just poor contacts/corrosion after 7 years --- then go replace the battery cause she's due.

[justbob]

The wifes caravan was also starting perfect and then poooof battery was toast! I never thought they could go like that either ken, but thats what happened to me on vacation. I had the dealer confirm it and swap it out. Good luck.

[Peace2Peep]

I know this is dumb but how about your fuses?

[Peace2Peep]

Is there a solenoid on our cars?

[1stMerc]

Probably the gear selector problem. Try starting it in neutral.
If that doesnt work, move the gear shifter back and forth.
I had this problem years ago and it went away after a month.

++1++ had the same thing happen a few years back in Florida. Pulled into a rest stop got out did my busines got back in no start. Pushed shifter all the way forward and she fired right up. Been good ever since. My 69 Galaxie used to do the same thing.

[Ken]

Not the battery! I blew a 30 amp fuse in the power distribution box (to the solenoid), $8.60 for the fuse. $100 for the diagnostic work + towing. Possibly from being a nice guy and giving someone a jump the night before. Used the MM only because my F150 was on jackstands in the middle of a brake job. :mad2:

Ken

[Blk Mamba]

I never jump start other cars with the MM, but is there a fuse you can pull to prevent this from happening, my old 280Z had a circuit that had to be disconnected prior to a jump start.

[Peace2Peep]

I know this is dumb but how about your fuses?
Is there a solenoid on our cars?


WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

I actually got this one right! Hooray for ME!:lol:

[Blk Mamba]

Yes, but not the type you may be accustom to in a Ford.

[Merc-O-matic]

If the battery is really dead or has a damaged cell, a jump wont do any good.
Try a battery before a tow, you need the battery anyway!


Ditto....time for a NEW battery! Big Time!!!!!

Gotta Love It!:beatnik: