Will not start

Tiny
RDERRY3031
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
My car won't start. Replaced the battery. When I go to start it, everything shuts off. Not sure what's going on.
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 AT 11:50 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,677 POSTS
Hello, so exactly what is happening? Are you turning the key to the Run Position and the dash lights shut off? or is it starting and shutting off right away?
Is it cranking over and just not starting?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
RDERRY3031
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When I turn the key to start it, it acts like the battery has drained and everything shuts off.
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Friday, December 3rd, 2021 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,677 POSTS
It sounds like the transmission range switch might be shorted out. The Range Sensor is located on top of the transaxle to the right side when facing the engine. (Second picture highlighted in yellow). The wiring diagram shows the ignition switch feeds power to the transmission range sensor and then to the starter solenoid. If you have a 12-volt automotive test light, you can easily check this circuit. Having someone hold the key in the Start Position and check the white/pink for power and the red/light blue wire the same way. Make sure power is making it through the range sensor. I'm also leaving a few guides, one of them is how to check the battery terminals to make sure they are tight and clean. The others are for using a test light or multimeter. If you have a multimeter, you should check the battery first and make sure that "at rest" the battery is at least 12.6 volts. If you have any questions about testing, just ask. More specific direction can be given. I mention checking the battery first because you may just have a bad battery with a shorted cell inside.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked
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Friday, December 3rd, 2021 AT 12:28 PM

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