QuestionQUESTION: Hello Mark - 87' mustang 5.0, 5 speed-original motor with 100K,stock. The starter in my car won't turn at all, like its getting no power. I replaced the battery and cables, starter and cable, relay, checked grounds, and tried the screwdriver across the relay posts trick. Still nothing. Relay clicks when key is turned. Fuel pump comes on. I even had the 'new' rebuilt starter tested, it was fine. The car sat in my garage for three years untouched, but started fine before that.
Thanks for your time.
ANSWER: will the engine turn over if you put a pull handle and socket on crank bolt and try to turn it? may have stuck pistons if you do remove spark plugs and spray rust penetrate or lubricate in plug holes and let sit overnight then try working engine back and forth to get it moving. if that's not the problem follow up.
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QUESTION: Hi Mark---Yes, I put a little 3in1 in the spark plug holes before I did a general tune up and drained the fuel system. The motor turns smooth and you can feel the compression build using a bar on the crank, so I don't think its seized. The only thing I havn't checked is the starter/clutch switch, but the relay clicks when the key is turned, so I assume it works. Fusible link(s)may be bad?? I have a volt meter, but not sure what to do with it. Thanks for the quick response.
ANSWER: thanks for the follow up
if you have a 12 volt test light you can us it instead of the volt meter for checking presence of voltage but will need the voltmeter for amount of voltage-
first test voltage at battery should be at least 11.5-12.5 volts if it is check voltage at positive side of solenoid should also be battery voltage-if you do take a pair of channel locks and use them to jump across from one side of solenoid to other-you can do this with key in off position just to see if starter will spin-if not you may have voltage drop across cables-take negative terminal of voltmeter connect to one end of positive battery cable-take positive end and check cable at solenoid have someone try to start engine and make sure you have less than a volt show on voltmeter if you have more than that you are loosing voltage through cable or connections-do the same with cable from solenoid to starter-check the small wire on starter if this vehicle has one. and make sure you are getting voltage on it when key is engaged a test light will work for this.
you can email me at mandaautomotive@windstream.net and i can give you my number so i can walk you through some test.
good luck.
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QUESTION: Mark---I followed your directions and got the following: 11.85 volts at battery--same at positive side of solenoid--11.35 volts at starter when key is turned. When I put the (-) terminal of meter to the (+)battery and tested at solenoid I got .1 volts. The starter only has one wire--shouldn't it have a ground? The Hayes book only shows one wire.
Answerif your starter has one wire at it then it uses the engine block as a ground-if you have 11.85 volts to the starter then check the ground side of the circuit-make sure negative cable is clean and tight on the battery-on the block and on the body take a jumper cable crawl under the car connect one end to starter mounting ear or on rear of starter housing take care not to make contact with cable-connect the other end to battery negative side-now try to start car if you have 11.85 to starter and a good ground it should turn over if not keep checking cables.
the small wire that goes to solenoid on fender should have voltage only when key is turned to start position.
