Will Not Start!

[Bulten Rauder]

When key is turned, there's clicking and dash lights flicker and the engine will not turn over! Car has been in storage for over 2 months, but battery was charged and also connected another in parallel so plenty of juice.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

[Blackened300a]

If the starter is clicking and you have plenty of power then I would try tapping on the starter with a mallet. Sometimes they stick in the cold weather.

[Bulten Rauder]

If the starter is clicking and you have plenty of power then I would try tapping on the starter with a mallet. Sometimes they stick in the cold weather.

Thanks. Was going to try that. Do these have a relay under the hood also? It's not going to be easy to get under the car in the shop right now...is the starter on driver or pass side?

[Blackened300a]

Thanks. Was going to try that. Do these have a relay under the hood also? It's not going to be easy to get under the car in the shop right now...is the starter on driver or pass side?

Im not 100% certain. Its been a while since I been under the car. You have a 50/50 chance though. :D
If you hear the starter itself clicking then the relay is fine. Its the starter itself that's not kicking over.

[fastblackmerc]

No relay. Not like the old Ford products.

[RoyLPita]

Check the connections at the starter. They have been known to corrode down there.

[justbob]

passenger side.

[Bulten Rauder]

This site is so excellent. Just a couple hours and I have all kinds of help...thanks to all. I'll go scope it out now...snowing like a sonovagun here in Canada...she's nice and cozy in the shop :bandit:

[justbob]

I'm still leaning toward battery and or connection however. The flickering dash lights AND the clicking sounds like low/inconsistant voltage. Make double sure the battery cables are tightened good.

Good luck.

[Bulten Rauder]

Quite ironic: I'm a battery specialist, yet I assumed the battery was fine!
I read through some "won't start" threads and suddenly realized I should test the battery...just replaced the original one in my '99 CV last week! Well it failed at 5.64VDC. Zack is correct, a jump will not help if the onboard battery has a failed cell. Storing the car is not nice to the battery as the PATS drains it down a nasty slow death after just 2 months.

I'll slap in a new one Monday...thanks to justbob for expertise also

[justbob]

Glad it was an easy and cheap fix!

[tbone]

Quite ironic: I'm a battery specialist, yet I assumed the battery was fine!
I read through some "won't start" threads and suddenly realized I should test the battery...just replaced the original one in my '99 CV last week! Well it failed at 5.64VDC. Zack is correct, a jump will not help if the onboard battery has a failed cell. Storing the car is not nice to the battery as the PATS drains it down a nasty slow death after just 2 months.

I'll slap in a new one Monday...thanks to justbob for expertise also

I was thinking this but..............

[Motorhead350]

Zack is correct

He always is.