1997 Tbird just decided not to start

FILTHYFLETCH

MEMBER
1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Hello this is my first visit while searching for info on the web. Ok lets get the basics down first. My car is a 1997 Tbird 4.6 L engine automatic with roughly 180,000 miles. The issue I have just had was I parked the car 2 days ago running fine but today I went out to go to store turned the key and nothing just a well light dash. No turn over or crank no click from the relay or anything. The battery is showing full charge and I cleaned the termianls again just to make sure. The only issues I was aware of were fault codes showed bad catalytic converters, leaky oil pan and needed rear pads this week.I get good puff of white bluish smoke at first start I assume from the convertors being completely bad. Other then that always started fine. Under 5000 miles on new plugs, wires, fuelpump, battery, battery cables, tires, brake rotors, oil change, fuel filter, fuel line, alternator and water pump. Some things needed replaced because of failure others due to deteriation. Im looking in my haynes book and it suggests jumping the starter relay since there is no relay click so I will locate that and try that first. Any ideas of what to try after that before yanking the starter and having it and solenoid tested? Thanks in advance

3 Replies

POET042005

MECHANIC
134 POSTS

Dose the car have a kill switch, and when the car was turning over how well did the starter spin the motor. Let me no

Richard

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 AT 6:15 PM

FILTHYFLETCH

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hi thanks for a reply. The starter was turning over good and strong never had any slow cranks. Ive been thinking and taking a look under the car. We did have a heavy rain the day or 2 before this happened and I was remembering alot of deeper water pools in the road and was wondering maybe the higher water got up on the starter solenoid and shorted it maybe? I tried to use a jumper wire on the solenoid but nothing happen so Im thinking either that is bad or the starter so Guees Im gonna have to yank the starter since the solenoid is bolted to the top of the starter so can take it off alone until droping the starter. Guess then Ill take both to autozone and have them tested hopefully just the solenoid since they are only like $28.I was told to make sure I could cycle the engine use a breaker bar on the lower pulley which it turned with minmal resistance as it should as the crank turns so thats good not locked engine. But since no clicking from the solenoid and nothing when jumping it and no found wire breaks or losse connection Im thinking solenoid? Sound like right track?Thanks