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Starter dont engage

Tiny
E_MAC4WHEEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 100,000 MILES
Ok one more round with my car it has auto trans and 2.5 motor I installed the motor wouldn't start at first replaced speed control sensor car started rite up 3 or 4 times now it wont start I hit the ignition can hear the fuel pump kick on but starter doesn't engage starter has been check and is good no power to the small wire that engages starter I jump the starter with switch on it started once but back to nothing now I checked hot wire out of ignition appears to be power to relay have replaced relay with known good one still no change im wondering if it is security system the light for it only comes on iff I turn switch on and off a few times then it will stay on for about 5 seconds otherwise it never comes on any ideas or help would be great
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Monday, July 15th, 2013 AT 12:17 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Relay needs ground from trans select switch ie. Neutral safety or relay wil not close and energize solenoid
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Monday, July 15th, 2013 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
E_MAC4WHEEL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
How do I go about that the only manual I have is for contour/mystique and the wiring diagram doesn't match exactly if you good give a bit more detail I would appreciate it the diagram I have shows two wires and my car has five I believe
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Monday, July 15th, 2013 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
On rear of trans where shifter connects is select switch fine black/yellow wire should be ground when trans in neutral or park same wire attaches to starter relat it grounds relay the wire to solenoid goes hot. Have tried starting in neutral? Brake lights work?
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Monday, July 15th, 2013 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
E_MAC4WHEEL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Problem resolved problem was im an idiot lol I installed motor myself I hooked up all wires and triple checked everything your response on ground wasn't exactly rite but it got me checking wires again problem was on drivers side where main harness connects to firewall I had put it together but only finger tightened it after pushing on it I realized that the bolt through middle was loose tightened it down good car took rite off seems so simple and stupid now :) thanks everyone for all the feedback
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Monday, July 15th, 2013 AT 5:02 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Glad to hear your back on the road
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Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 AT 7:46 AM
Tiny
E_MAC4WHEEL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 100,000 MILES
I just completed installing new 2.5 motor into my car it has auto trans when I turn key nothing happens I tested starter its good so is battery tried in park and neutral nothing happens I can hear fuel pump engage and if I jump starter with switch on I get spark but doesn't start the anti theft light doesn't light up at all and someone removed stereo if that matters the key has remote for door locks doesn't function may be dead battery im thinking its a relay but don't know which one have no manuals on the car
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E_MAC4WHEEL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Update on my question I tracked down bare wires on driver side of engine there is a plug that comes off the main wiring harness the plug has 3 wires to it and is kind of triangular shaped the wires continue down towards back of tranny any idea what they go to I separated them and the car fired rite up there real brittle tried again later and back to nothing happening even with wires separated so any ideas or a place where I can get a good wiring diagram would be of great help thanks
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Unless you have a color for them no idea unless it goes to speed sensor or for transmission neutral switch.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E_MAC4WHEEL
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
The wires go to vehicle speed sensor on transmission replaced it still same issues although it occasional will start if switch is on and I jump the starter but not always thinking bad ignition switch?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYREED9261
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 190,000 MILES
When I turn the key, the starter engages and turns the motor over. However, this lasts for only about two seconds before it starts whining. The starter tested good and there were no signs of wear in the bendix, (if that's how it's spelled). I was unable to get a good look at the flywheel but I would assume that it probably isn't worn out either. I replaced the solenoid and it does the same thing. Any ideas?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Do basick starter checks
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,908 POSTS
Replace the starter drive assembly, (the bendix; but that's a GM term). There is no accurate way to test them because you can't put the same force on it as the starter motor can. They are diagnosed based on the symptom, and you described it perfectly. The teeth on the ring gear aren't the cause either. The first half of a few teeth will wear away when the drive gear starts spinning before it meshes completely. Eventually it will get bad enough that the gear spins and grinds on those teeth without ever engaging or spinning the engine. Once it does start to crank, the worn teeth won't cause a problem because the drive gear is still meshing with the half of the ring gear teeth that are still there.

To reduce the chance of this happening again, coat the drive assembly and shaft with a light grease to prevent rust from forming that can inhibit its free movement. Heavy greases like axle grease can become hardened from heat and dirt and make the drive assembly stick and not engage smoothly.

By the way, most people would just replace the entire starter. You can save some money by replacing the drive assembly but a mechanic would never do that. The labor time involved would cost his customer more than the new starter. If he makes a mistake, he will have to start over and redo his work for free. Customers get angry when they have to wait for their car, even when it isn't costing them money, so he is going to want to get it done as quickly as possible. Also, the rest of the starter motor is just as old and tired as the drive assembly. By replacing the entire unit, the mechanic is better able to insure the quality of the repair.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:25 AM (Merged)

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