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Engine will not crank or turn over, it just clicks one time

Tiny
DYLANCOBB97
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD MUSTANG
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 178,000 MILES
I was on the way to my aunt's and my car started running horribly, it started cutting out and it hardly would go at all, and it was acting like it was losing power or something then it shut off and it wouldn't start. Then I finally got it started then I got down the road and it shut off again, then it wouldn't even crank or turn over at all. It's not the starter for sure because I took it off and took it to AutoZone and they tested it and it came back good and I don't think it's the battery because I just got it a few months ago brand new. I took the battery to Walmart, and they said it was good, but they said the battery did have a low charge. So, I'm charging the battery now than I'm going to go try it again. Also, it's a 12-volt battery, but when I tried to start the car, the battery was dropping down to about 6 volts. So, I don't know if that's good or not cause I'm not a mechanic. But right now, my car won't even crank it just clicks one time. I have been having an idle air control problem and I replaced IAC valve, but it didn't fix the problem and it also has been shutting off every time I come to a complete stop, but it usually started right back up but not this time. So, I don't know what's going on maybe y'all can help me, I'd appreciate it.
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 12:58 PM

39 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like the alternator has failed. If it isn't recharging the battery, eventually driving it like that will deplete the power from the battery needed to keep it running.

Now that you are just getting a click, I need you to first confirm the battery terminals are clean and tight. If they are, recharge the battery.

Once it's recharged, it should start. If it doesn't, let me know. Once started, I need you to check the alternator output. Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions. Also, keep in mind low voltage can be causing the other electrical issues you mentioned.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I will and I'm recharging the battery overnight if it doesn't start in the morning. I will check the alternator and let you know. Thank you for responding.
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Sunday, February 20th, 2022 AT 2:17 AM
Tiny
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Also, the battery's terminals are brand new, and they are clean, but I wanted to ask you if it was just a bad alternator, would that be the reason why it does not want to crank or turn over? Because it's not the starter and I don't think it's the battery, but I will find out here in a few hours and get back with you later. Appreciate it Joe.
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Sunday, February 20th, 2022 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If you are only getting one click, either the battery is weak, the starter is bad (you said it was checked and good) the starter is in wrong causing it to jam and not mesh with the flywheel, or the engine locked.

The reason I am questioning something different is that you hear the click. That tells me the starter relay is sending power to the solenoid on the starter to engage it. It wouldn't click if that didn't happen. Unless the main terminal on the starter is loose or bad and can't handle the load.

Hang in there. We'll figure it out one way or another.

Take care and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, February 20th, 2022 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
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Hey Joe, I believe I found the problem. I put the battery back on there yesterday, but it was doing the same thing. It just clicked one time. Well, I just kept trying and trying to start it and it finally tried to crank over but it wouldn't start. So, I finally got it started but it was not running good, so I decided to put my FIXD scanner on there to see if there was any codes popping up. Well, come to find out it's my camshaft position sensor. The error code is P0340, and it said it would possibly cause a misfire and make the car not start and also make the car not run properly. So, that's pretty much all my issues I've been having so I believe that's the problem. So, I already got the part ordered and I will change it later today and get back with you. Thanks for the response, I appreciate it and I added a few pictures too. Hopefully if anyone else has this problem it might help them one day.
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Monday, February 21st, 2022 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

I'm glad you found that. It can cause a misfire or a hard start. However, it won't cause the starter not to engage. What did you do to make that happen?

Joe
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Monday, February 21st, 2022 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
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Well, that wasn't the problem either Joe, but I believe that's why it's been running badly and misfiring. So, I went ahead and changed the camshaft position sensor, and I went ahead and had it towed. It's now in the shop just waiting for a diagnostic report. But now I'm pretty sure the timing chain may have broken which would cause it not to turn over, but I am not sure. I'll keep you updated when I hear something. Thanks
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
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Well, how I finally got it started was I just kept turning the ignition over and over and over and it finally started, but it was making a loud grinding noise and it wouldn't stay running. So, yeah, I don't know what's going on, but it's in the shop so hopefully they can tell me.
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

This is an interesting one. The grinding wasn't coming from the starter motor, was it?

Regardless, let me know what you find out. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 AT 6:34 PM
Tiny
DYLANCOBB97
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Yeah, me too. Lol I hope it's not the timing chain, but like I said when I got it started it was making like a loud rattling noise near the crankshaft sensor. I really don't think it's the starter, so I'm thinking maybe the chain jumped or maybe broke some teeth, but I really have no idea. I don't know a whole lot about cars. Also, I just changed the spark plugs in December and the fuel filter and I flushed the radiator and engine, so I've been taking care of the car since I bought it back in 2019 but anyway I will keep you updated as soon as I hear something. Thanks
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
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Hey, I was going to ask you another question. When you change the camshaft position sensor do you have to sync it? Because the guy at O'Reilly's said something about it but I looked everywhere online and could never find anything that said that. So, I just took the old one off and put the new one on there. I hope it will be okay.
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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

There isn't a relearn for the camshaft position sensor. I attached the directions below.

Is it possible for you to record what is happening and upload it for me? Also, it was only the sensor that was replaced, correct?

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
DYLANCOBB97
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Thank you and yes that's the only thing I have changed and right now I can't because it's in the shop and I haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully, they will call me tomorrow.
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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Okay, I understand. I asked for the recording because I can usually tell if it is a timing-related issue by listening to it cranking. Have you had any contact with them since it was taken to the shop?

Joe
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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
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Dang it, I wished I would have taken a video of it and yes, I have they said it would be a few days before they could look at it so it will probably be next week sometime.
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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No problem. Tell them you need to get something from it and then record what it is doing? If you have an extra key, the vehicle is likely sitting outside, and they won't even know you did it. Or wait until Sunday when they are closed.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 25th, 2022 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
DYLANCOBB97
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Well, they didn't actually tell me why it won't start but supposedly there's a hole in the radiator and metal shavings in the oil, so I guess it's done for idk it doesn't make any since about there being a hole in the radiator, I just put water in there before it went to the shop, and it never leaked out so idk man that's just what they said.
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Metal shavings in the oil? I assume it was drained. Here is what I suggest. If you can get the vehicle home, I would love to help you check different things to confirm it's beyond repair.

There is a chance the engine is done, but I would be happy to help you confirm it is true.

Let me know what I can do to help.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I'm going to try to bring it home tomorrow.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 2:30 AM
Tiny
DYLANCOBB97
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I think there's a possibility it could be something fixable, but they just didn't want to fix it but I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 2:33 AM

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