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Engine will not turn over? - No starter?

Tiny
RAYYANKEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 134,678 MILES
Car will not start, will not turn over. The battery is good, new spark plugs, new ignition coil and new ignition switch and still nothing. It will not do anything.
Sunday, April 30th, 2017 AT 1:17 PM

52 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
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.
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Sunday, April 30th, 2017 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 1996 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 14,403 MILES
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have a test light or multimeter to do some testing?You will need one.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
If you are talking about a pointed screw driver type that lights up when you poke it into live wires, then yes.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
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?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Start by checking the ignition switch
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I just installed a new one yesterday.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the starter motor-tap on it a few times and attempt to crank it over and see what happens
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Stop raining so I jacked up the car and tapped on the started a few times. Tried to start the car and still nothing.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
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
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
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?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POETRYDIVA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So you have a aftermarket alarm?Also do you have a wire stripper that lists the different gauge wires on it?
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLERPRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
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
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)

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