Car wouldn't start the battery is only a year old

ANGELA ORWIG

MEMBER
1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
5.0L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
300,000 MILES

Hello. I was going to the store yesterday and my car wouldn't start. The battery is only a year old but I took it to O'reillys anyway and had them test it. The guy said the battery was good just needed a charge so I took it home and put it on the battery charger until it was fully charged. Put it back on the car and still nothing. When I turn the key I hear clicking coming from the starter solenoid so I replaced that and still nothing. Also put new alternator on it and that didn't work either. There is a fuse box next to the battery sometimes when I jiggle that the car wants to turn over but doesn't. Can you help please?

2 Replies

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,292 POSTS

Hello. For starters, you shouldn't be able to jiggle the fuse box. It should be bolted down pretty firmly. So make sure it's completely tight and that the connection to the battery, as well as the contact points where bolts/nuts hold the thing down, are clean.

If all that is tight and clean and it still doesn't want to start, try replacing the starter relay in that fuse box. A weak relay could definitely cause that.

If you're still able to jiggle the box around and that continues to make a difference, then you may be needing to replace that box due to weakened electrical connections.

Check that stuff and get back to me. We'll go from there.

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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 8:37 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,731 POSTS

Hi,

Was the starter replaced or only the solenoid? Also, I attached a pic below of the starting system wiring schematic. I circled a fuse to check and the relay that was mentioned by Heyman. He is certainly correct that a weak relay could cause the issue.

Now, if the entire starter was replaced, we need to confirm two things. First, make sure the battery power (larger wire on the starter) isn't being interrupted. Check that using a volt meter or multi meter. Have a helper crank the engine and see if voltage is lost.

Next, the smaller wire on the solenoid which is yellow with a light blue tracer should receive 12v only when the key is in the start position. Have a helper turn the key to start while you check to see if power is there.

Here is a link that explains how to check the starter:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Also, make sure the battery terminals are tight and clean and the main ground from the battery which attaches to the engine block is tight and clean at the engine. If you move wires around near the battery and it makes a difference, check for corrosion to the wiring resulting from the battery acid.

Let us know what you find. Also, if you could record what is happening so we could hear and see it, it may help us. And one last thing, see if the vehicle will start with the shifter in neutral as well as letting us know if it has a factory installed security system.

Let us know.

Joe

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