1990 Ford Mustang Won't Crank

1990 FORD MUSTANG
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CLARKLLOYD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a 1990 Mustang that wont crank. The battery seems to be good. The battery charger says that it is charged. I still let it charge for three hours and it seemed to make it a little better (the fuel pump came on this time) but when I try to start it I just hear a clicking noise or nothing at all. The volt meter reads about 10-11 volts before trying to start, when I try to start it drains everything. I have an electric fan that will not run either. The only thing that will come on are the dash guage lights, all other electical things wont work including trying to start the car. Any ideas?
Apr 29, 2007 at 3:39 PM
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BESTBET777
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 89 POSTS
Get starter, altenator, battery andd regulator all tested at the same time and repair whatever is bad , all at the same time, not piece meal. Any one component bad and i can cause failure of other components.
Apr 29, 2007 at 6:47 PM
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CLARKLLOYD
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[quote:b183ab201c="justanold"]HELLO! What you describe is a bad battery or dirty cables. remove both cables..shine up the cable ends and battery posts..reconnect and tighten.check for starting and then go buy your new battery! 10 or 11 volts is way low for coming off of a battery charger. get back to me with your results. 8) 8) 8)[/quote:b183ab201c]

I checked the battery at the Sears Auto Store and they said it was good. The tech told me it might be the starter. I was sure it was the battery too.
May 2, 2007 at 11:47 AM
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CLARKLLOYD
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I went and got the battery tested. Sears said it was fine. I went back home, installed it in the car, checked the voltage with a voltmeter both at the battery and at the starter relay and it read 12.5V. Just for the hell of it I try to start it with some jumper cables. At first it doesnt want to start, then she started right up and ran fine. I took off the battery cables and turned the car off. I went to start it again and it started right up. I think its a ground or the starter is bad. Anyone have any suggestions?
May 3, 2007 at 7:17 AM

Suggested Repair

Have the battery, starter, alternator, and voltage regulator tested together and repair any failed parts at the same time. Also clean and tighten the battery cable ends and posts and check the grounds, since voltage was low and the car started after jumper cables were used.

Conversation Summary

A 1990 Ford Mustang would not crank, often only clicking, with low voltage around 10-11 volts and limited electrical function. An expert advised testing the starter, alternator, battery, and regulator together rather than replacing parts one at a time. The battery later tested good and showed 12.5 volts, and the car started after jumper cables were used, leading the owner to suspect a ground or the starter.

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