2000 Ford Fiesta Electrical Problem

17RICHARD21

MEMBER
2000 FORD FIESTA
108,000 MILES

I have some sort of electrical problem on my 2000 Ford fiesta 16v 1200. I had been using the car for deliveries so several stop and starts. It was after a delivery when I tried to start the car I had no response from the starter motor. When I turned the ignition on all the instruments went from the zero position right round the dials then back, with no instruments reading e.G. Fuel Gauge. The warning lights are on but when I turn the key to start the engine there is no response from the starter but all the warning lights flash.
Before this happened it appeared to be running fine with one exception that when I turned the engine off there was a sound like a small motor running, as it was a very hot day I assumed this was the cooling fan but I do not know.
What could be the problem please?

1 Reply

MASTERTECH13

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well for one it could be a starter problem. I'm not sure how technically adept you are but the first thing I would do (aside from checking the battery and fuses) would be to check for battery voltage at the starter along with signal voltage to the starter solenoid when the key is turned to start. I usually do this with a test light or multimeter.

The picture below is an example of your average starter. I tried to find your exact starter but could not sorry, but this will be very similar. Terminal B is where you would check to see if your getting battery voltage. SO you would simply put your test light on the terminal and see if it lights up. This should have power at all times.

Terminal S is where you would get power only when the key is turned to start. It is always a much smaller terminal then the other ones.

If you have power to B and you have power to S when you turn the key to start, but nothing happens, then you have a bad starter.

Also, be careful not to touch ANYTHING at the same time as when your touching the terminals with your probe.

Image (Click to make bigger)