Engine will not turn over? - No starter?

try a security system reset or another key if you have one not a new one. it may be a bad chip in key see link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

This guide can help us fix it too

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

Please run down these guides and report back.

Was told buy another mechanic that it was the ignition cylinder. So I bought a new ignition cylinder lock and key and replaced it. It started like every other time. Sometimes it took four or five tries to get the car to make contact and start. Yesterday it would not start at all. Had it towed home. Another mechanic said it was most likely the ignition switch instead of the cylinder lock. So I bought an ignition switch today and installed it. Still won't start. Am now out around $60.00 for parts plus a tow. Been looking for a job for 2 years and have now lost my transportation to try and find a job. What is your suggestion? Don't have any money left.

Do you have a test light or multimeter to do some testing?You will need one.

If you are talking about a pointed screw driver type that lights up when you poke it into live wires, then yes.

What exactly is it doing? Is it cranking over and will not start or just won't crank over at all/nothing when your turn the key to cranking position??

When I put the key into the ignition and turn it, it does nothing. The engine does not crank. You can hear the fuel pump engage. For a while, if I would wiggle the key while turning it, it would make contact and then start right up. So, I replaced the ignition cylinder lock. Then it started just fine for a couple days then it did the same thing. I had to wiggle the key to get it started like every other time until it just finally would not make contact at all. So I had it towed home and then I replaced the ignition switch because I was assured by a mechanice that this had to be the problem. So now, you turn the key and nothing again except for hearing the fuel pump engage. The battery is fine and has a full charge. All lights, heater, radio, wipers work fine.

Start by checking the ignition switch

I just installed a new one yesterday.

Check the starter motor-tap on it a few times and attempt to crank it over and see what happens

Alright get your test light with everything plugged in at your ignition switch you should have constant power at the black with a orange tracer wire then with the key in the start position the red with a light blue tracer should have power.Also do you have factory anti theft on that car?Let me know what you find.

Stop raining so I jacked up the car and tapped on the started a few times. Tried to start the car and still nothing.

SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING IN THERE, AND GIVING IT SOME "TOUGH LOVE"

TRY THIS STUFF, BE DETERMINED WITH THE CONNECTIONS!!!

xnostart

THIS IS SORTA GENERIC

YOU COULD HAVE FAULTY RELAYS OR FUSES.....SAVE RELAYS FOR LAST! (IF ANY)

CHECK YOUR FUSES!!!---YOUR OWNERS MANUAL MAY SHOW YOU LOCATIONS THAT YOU KNEW NOTHING ABOUT!

REMOVE AND REPLACE "SUSPECT" FUSES SEVERAL TIMES--THIS MAY SCRAPE OFF CORROSION AND GIVE THEM BETTER CONTACT!

THIS WILL WORK FOR YOU, PROVIDED THAT YOUR BATTERY IS GOOD---OR YOU CAN BE JUMPED OFF!!!

REMEMBER "NEW STUFF" CAN BE BAD TOO!

YOUR STARTER MAY BE BAD!

YOUR SOLENOID MAY BE BAD!

BATTERY COULD BE BAD!

Try the stuff below (actions),

IN MOST CASES THIS IS THE PROBLEM!

PEOPLE GET LAZY!----THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY DO THIS STUFF

IT BITES 'EM IN THE BUTT...THEY COULDA BEEN RIDING LONG AGO!




TAKE STUFF LOOSE (REALLY!--EVERY ONE OF 'EM!) -----CLEAN-----"SCOOCH" THE CONNECTORS AROUND----TIGHTEN THE NUTS OR BOLTS WELL!!!! -----DO NOT JUST PASS OFF ANY BIG CABLE CONNECTION AS, "IT LOOKS GOOD".



PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE BATTERY POSTS---CLAMPS---CABLE CONNECTIONS TO THE CLAMP (I'M TALKING ABOUT THE OLD STYLE "SQUEEZER" DEALEES, CLAMP TO CABLE)

IF YOU HAVE SIDE POST TERMINALS---TURN THE RUBBER INSIDE OUT/ REMOVE THE BOLT/ SCRUB THE FLAT CONNECTOR WITH A WIRE BRUSH OR SCRAPE IT WITH A KNIFE, TILL IT'S CLEAN---SAME FOR ITS MATING SURFACE ON THE BATTERY!

MANY TIMES THERE AIN'T MUCH SLACK IN THE CABLE----NO WHINING!!!---YOU GOTTA GET IT CLEAN, ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN SEE "GREEN CRAP" CAKED ON 'EM!

YEAH, IT'S NOT EZ TO GET IN THERE, BUT LOOK AT WHAT YOU WILL GO THRU IF YOU DON'T!

THIS IS WAR--YOU GOTTA CHECK IT ALL--ANY CONNECTION---POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE THAT A BIG CABLE BOLTS TO....GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY!

IF A CABLE GOES TO A BOX--IT GOES ON THRU IT---CLEAN CONNECTIONS COMING AND GOING---TO WHERE EVER THEY GO!

EVENTUALLY YOU WILL REACH THE STARTER CONNECTION (POS)-----AND THE ENGINE/ BODY (NEG)

DON'T TELL THE SHOP, AS YOU GIVE 'EM YOUR $$$---WHILE WHINING---"I WAS TOLD TO CLEAN THAT CONNECTION, AND I DIDN'T!!!"

AS YOU PROGRESS, TRY TO CRANK HIM UP---YOU MAY FIND EXACTLY WHICH CONNECTION WAS THE PROBLEM!

I'VE SEEN THIS SAME CATASTROPHE, MANY MANY TIMES (I SAW IT YESTERDAY, AS I WAS ABOUT TO "CAR DOLLY" A FRIEND, THEN I DID THE CHECKS, IT WAS THE SIDE POSTS ON THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS).......AND IT'S SO SIMPLE TO FIX!..........SAD THING, WHEN I GOT THERE, NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE 'CEPT AN ATTEMPTED JUMP START....I WAS GONNA HAVE TO PULL HIM 40 MILES, HE WASTED 3 HOURS OF MY TIME. LAZY, LAZY, LAZY

YOU COULD BE RUNNING BEFORE YOUR "CALVARY" ARRIVES!

RETURN WITH GOOD NEWS!

THE MEDIC

Its a lot easiser to just follow my instructions then banging on things and hoping something happens.Try what i asked you two and please answer my questions.

Just checked the wires. Black and orange have power. The red and light blue has been seperated from what appears to have been spliced into a solid blue. I touched the two together and turned the key and the car turned over. Do you know what gauge wire this should be so I can splice in a new piece?

The battery has been tested and it is good. I'm thinking the starter needs to be replaced, but I can't find any info on where exactly it is located under the hood.

So you have a aftermarket alarm?Also do you have a wire stripper that lists the different gauge wires on it?

The car has an aftermarket alarm that does not work. I think there might be a wire stripper like that in the tools left by my husband. I will check.

The starter is located where the engine and transmission meet. It will be on the side of the engine at about oil pan height. If you follow the main power wire from the battery, it will lead you to the starter.

Before you replace it, let me know what is happening. Also, NEVER work on or around the starter until the battery is disconnected.

OK. So I spliced in a longer piece of wire, put the car back together, and she started right up. Thank you so very much for your assistance. saturntech9

Did you use the wire strippers to measure the correct gauge wire to replace?You dont want to use too small of a gauge wire because over time the wire will fail.

It looked like a 12 gauge but 14 gauge was what fit in the hole so I used 14 gauge. Had some of both. Thanks,

Your welcome have a safe and happy new year.

Ok, car ran great for a while. Now it is doing the same thing again. Ran great yesterday when I went to the grocery store. This morning I tried to go to an appointment and when I turned the key, nothing again. Just like before. You hear the fuel pump engage but the car does not turn over. Checked the fuses and they seam fine. Did the wire check again and all looks good. Any suggestions?

WELL I SORTA POSTED THE "ATTACK YOUR CONNECTIONS" ANSWER ABOVE

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU GOT INTO DOING IT

MAYBE YOU MISSED SOMETHING.....MAYBE A BAD STARTER? (IT CAN BE REMOVED AND TESTED AT A POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORE)

BELOW IS A PIC OF A BATTERY CLAMP---JUST PART OF THE CONNECTIONS ARRAY

LOOK AT WHAT I LABELED AS WRONG---APPLY TO EVERY CONNECTION, NOT JUST THE CLAMPS

THIS BELONGED TO A JEEP GUY AND WAS ON HIS 1985 CJ 7.......HE'S NOW A NEW PAL

EVEN WITH HIM HAVING A BRAND NEW BATTERY, IT WOULD NOT START UNLESS IT WAS JUMPED OFF FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE

I OFFERED MY ASSISTANCE IN HELPING HIM, TUNE UP HIS JEEP.....HE ALWAYS PAID SOMEONE AND NEVER TOOK PRIDE IN DIYing HIS OWN STUFF

THIS WAS GONNA BE HIS VERY 1ST DIY (I AM A WHIZ WITH CJs--NO DOUBT IN MY ABILITIES)

THIS CLAMP ALMOST RUINED MY SOON TO BE PAL-NESS WITH THIS GUY

HE WAS SO HARDHEADED, WHEN I INSISTED HE HAD A CONNECTION PROBLEM BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER.....HE KEPT TELLING ME HE HAD CHECKED EVERYTHING AND IT HAD TO BE THE BATTERY.......I MONKEYED WITH IT AND LOST ALL POWER AND IT WOULD NOT JUMP OFF (EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY SHOULD HAVE DONE IT ON IT'S OWN)

THE MAN HAD KNOWN ME FOR A TOTAL OF ONE HOUR, AND NOW HE WAS ABOUT TO BAN ME FROM TOUCHING HIS JEEP! BEFORE HE COULD SAY A WORD, I WHIPPED OUT MY KNIFE AND SKINNED THE ELECTRICAL TAPE BACK ON THE POSITIVE CLAMP.....BELOW IS WHAT I FOUND, I CUT OFF THE WIRE ABOUT 8 INCHES, INSTALLED ONE OF "MY" NEW SPARE CLAMPS.

WAH-LAH!!!..........NEW PAL

SINCE THEN WE HAVE INSTALLED A NEW CARB, CLEANED UP THE MESS UNDER THE HOOD.....IT PURRS LIKE A KITTEN!

IF YOU WANNA REALLY SEE ME IN ACTION, LOOK AT THE JEEP CJ 5&7 FORUMS IN THIS SITE

KEEP US INFORMED

THE MEDIC

My 1995 cougar just wont start. Son drove it out of oil. rebult engine and ran good for about 8 months. then it would drain the battery. now it just wont start. it cranks but sounds like the starter wont engage the flywheel. have replaced starter 2 times the alternator, the battery 2 times (keep drain to where it wont hold or take charge).

You have a short circuit eating up the battery do below battery drain test.other possiblities are starter, starter relay, transmission range switch and ignition switch.

Electrical problem
1995 Mercury Cougar Two Wheel Drive Automatic 156000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
Car will not even click when ignition switch is turned to start position. Checked battery voltage with key in run position and it is 13.6 volts drops to 12.4 when in start position. Battery load tested good. Guages,warning lights, and radio work until key is turned to start than all go out and voltage guage drops below 8 volts. Here is the kicker when the key is released to return to run position heater fan runs for a brief moment with fan switch in the off position. Due to the last symptom I think Im looking at switch problem or ground issue not an actual starter or sel. problem. Am I on the right track ?

Have you checked the starter
and solenoid
check /replace starter and or solenoid
when key turned to start all accessory will shut off
(radio…… …. heat- - - -- - - -- )

Okay the car was dead so I replaced the battery thinking that was the problem well still nothing so I started troubleshooting electrical all fuses okay I jumped out the starter it came on but did not turn the car over okay I picked up a new starter removed the old one found chipps on the teeth on the fly wheel I installed starter wired back up turned key on and nothing I got my meter had my wife turn the key on and not getting voltage to the solinoid do I have a electrical or mechanical problem or both and could the fly wheel be pissed Bach some how it seems the starter is not catching it

The flywheel has nothing to do with starter not cranking. The starting circuit has a problem and some testing is required.
Is this a manual or automatic transmission?
Is the security light (if equipped) blinking in dash?

Its automatic u think there's a problem with the ignition controlled mod or the switch

Is engine 3.8 L or 4.6L?
Is the security light (if equipped) blinking in dash?
Is security system factory or after market?

Thinking and guessing don't solve problems. Diagnosis is required and the correct information is necessary to get uson the right track.

left my lights on twice and had to get jumped each time in a few weeks. since then, it has been very slow to turn over and just today it would not start after i had been driving it and parked. got a friend to try and jump it but would not make any sounds at all, you know the re re re sound when you start your car. he said he heard the starter clicking but im not sure about that. so now it sits dead in a taco bell parking lot. what is the problem? starter, old battery, bad connection? tell me every possible problem please? as i said it used to be able to start and today it started but i had to hold the key down for a while so it could turn eventually?

Different subject:
my engine just started shaking when i come to a stop. i noticed my coolant was very low. is that related? all these same problems (shaking engine, electrical) happened with my last car a 90 oldsmobile cutlass ciera and no one could tell me what was wrong ( i think they were trying to make me fix everything in my car to make money off me) so now i dont trust mechanics but if you could help me with these problems i would be greatful. thank you.

As far as the not starting.. try the battery. you may need new cables.. and it could have been a bad connection..

now for the shaking.. it could be anywhere from a vacum leak to the egr valve.

Electrical problem
1993 Mercury Cougar 6 cyl

First off, about 1 year ago I had to replace the starter on my Mercury Cougar because the car wouldn't start at all.

Now another problem is coming up, but it's only occasional.

About a month ago I went out to start the car and nothing. No clicking from the relay and/or starter. I replaced the Starter Relay on the fender and everything worked fine for about a week.

Then when I would went to start the car one time there was no click again.

I was able to start the car by touching a wrench to the relay contacts and having the key in the On position.

Now about 20% of the time I have to do this to just start the car.

The battery is also less than a year old.

I have noticed thought that the battery terminal is rather bent due to the previous owned over tightening it. I can't remove the bolt to replace it as it's on so tight and bent.

Being that I can start the car with the above method does that mean anything?

Could it be that I need to replace the battery terminals on the battery?

I was checking the battery cable that goes from the positive side towards the firewall and there was a large plastic bulb in the cable.

It was dirty so I cleaned it and inside is a brass colored thing inside.

I was able to gently pull apart this thing and all that inside is some prongs.

What exactly is this bulb like thing?

Electrical problem
1993 Mercury Cougar 6 cyl

Yesterday when I went and started my 1993 Mercury Cougar then engine cranked slowly, but it did start.

I got home and opened up the hood and there was a lot of corrosion on the battery terminal. I cleaned that off and restarted the car and it cranked and started up as normal.

I went to work, and both times when I started the car it cranked normally and started right up.

However, after I got home and had to go out. I tried to start the car and it didn't crank at all. A friend stood by the engine when I turned the key and heard the starter relay click each time I turned the key. We tried to jump start the car, but that didn't work.


Any ideas?

Load test the battery if its good make sure its cleaned and properly tightened-No cranking could mean ignition switch/park and neutral switch/NSS-starter relay and starter itself

Replaced the starter relay. Didn't help, same problem.

The tow truck driver said it sounds like the starter is locked.

Tomorrow I'm going to get the battery load tested and see if that's it. If not, then it looks like it maybe the starter.

NEW STARTER&RELAY TURN KEY ONLY LIGHTS DIM. POWER TO&FROM RELAY GOOD,NO POWER TO STARTER? TRIED JUMPER WIRE RELAYTO STARTER SAME RESULTS?NEED TO ENGUAGE BRAKE TO START,IS THIER A SAFETY SWITCH?LOST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXY.