[Shotimes] Turn Key, Engine No Go
Paul Nimz
pnimz@v8sho.com
Fri, 6 Aug 2004 00:32:03 -0500
If you have access to a digital volt meter do this.
1. Disable the ignition by pulling the power fuse to the PCM.
2. Set the meter to DC millivolts.
3. Hold one end on the copper starter stud with the cable from the from the
battery. The other meter end on the positive battery post.
4.Get a reading with nothing on.
5. Get a reading with the motor turning over, no other electrical load.
The higher the number the worse the cable is. My guess anything over
350-450mV indicates too much resistance.
While you are at it you might as well check the alternator output wire to
the positive battery post while the car is running with a large electrical
load. This will test that cable too.
6. Check the reading with the engine running and all electrical devices on,
1500 rpm.
Good 6 ga cables are all you really need. Get rid of the lead head battery
cable ends and get some Penske OEM spring type (GEN 3) battery cables ends
at Wal-Mart. You can find cables of various lengths in 6ga wire with lug
terminals on each end at any auto parts store. Use some battery or
petroleum grease (not die-electric) on all the terminal ends.
Paul Nimz
'97 TR
'93 EG mtx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beisler Jonathon" <Jonathon.Beisler@HCAhealthcare.com>
To: "'Bill Murray'" <fordsho@cloud9grafx.com>; "Beisler Jonathon"
<Jonathon.Beisler@HCAhealthcare.com>; "'SHOTimes'" <Shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 3:08 PM
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] Turn Key, Engine No Go
> Do starters just stop working like that? I always thought they did the
> gasping dying screeching thing for a while then died. The reason I keep
> thinking of the cables is because when I shut off the AC and lights, etc.
it
> turns over. I've always heard that as the cables age they are less able
to
> carry the combined load of all that equipment plus the starter.
> Be that as it may, is there a way to check the starter? Or is it just
going
> to leave me stranded someday...?
> Thanks, JB
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Murray [mailto:fordsho@cloud9grafx.com]
> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 3:52 PM
> To: 'Beisler Jonathon'; 'SHOTimes'
> Subject: RE: [Shotimes] Turn Key, Engine No Go
>
>
> How old is your starter? If your lights and everything else works, I'd
> look somewhere else. Sometimes when a starter is failing, it won't work
> on the first key turn, but it might on the second or third. I've also
> heard that you can sometimes hit it with a hammer and it will work,
> though I've never done it myself. If you have a Gen 2 you won't get a
> click if the starter is bad since the solenoid is part of the starter.
>
> Bill Murray
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Beisler Jonathon [mailto:Jonathon.Beisler@HCAhealthcare.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 2:29 PM
> > To: 'Paul L Fisher'; Beisler Jonathon; 'Shotimes'
> > Subject: RE: [Shotimes] Turn Key, Engine No Go
> >
> >
> > Which is why I am assuming the cables are going bad. The
> > terminals are
> > clean, they were just a little loose. Tightening them last
> > night at home
> > didn't solve the issue as I had the same problem this
> > morning. Guessing
> > that I am going to price out some cables.
> > Thanks,
> > JB
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul L Fisher [mailto:sho@paul-fisher.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 1:53 PM
> > To: 'Beisler Jonathon'; 'Shotimes'
> > Subject: RE: [Shotimes] Turn Key, Engine No Go
> >
> >
> > Happened to me on my '93. A good wire brushing of the cables
> > and battery
> > posts helped immensely.
> >
> >
> > Paul L Fisher
> >
> > 1999 Ford Taurus SHO TR 68K - Kirk'ed 2/29/04.
> >
> > - Amsoil Series 2000 0W-30
> > - Amsoil TS-124 Oiled Foam air filter
> >
> > Visit my website: http://www.paul-fisher.com
> > SHOClub Member: http://www.shoclub.com
> > Amsoil dealer: http://www.paul-fisher.com/oil
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
> > [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
> > On Behalf Of Beisler
> > Jonathon
> > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 11:40 AM
> > To: Shotimes
> > Subject: [Shotimes] Turn Key, Engine No Go
> >
> > Last night after work, I went to start the car and got
> > nothing, not even a
> > click. The autolights had come on, so I turned them off,
> > turned off the
> > EATC and it started right up. I checked the connections at
> > the battery, and
> > all though they were a little loose, they were on and clean
> > and the wires
> > are not looking frayed. I had the battery checked and it's
> > okay. I am
> > assuming this has to do with the cables. Does this seem like
> > the logical
> > conclusion? Also, would these cables being bad cause other
> > electrical
> > items to work haphazardly? An example, my autolight function stopped
> > working for the two or three side trips I took last night but started
> > working again this morning on the way in. If it is the
> > cables, what is the
> > recommendation for the best replacements, or is it pretty generic?
> > Thanks,
> > JB
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