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Messages - CougarGal

1
General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion / Got rats...
I had a mouse in my XR-7 last fall and another last spring.  I placed two traps in the car - one in the front passenger floor board and one in the trunk.  Baited them both with peanut butter and, voila', caught the little so-and-so two days later!  Still haven't figured out how the darned things are getting in :(
2
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Quote from: Haystack;463119
Again, popping it with a screw driver would rule out both the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. You can just put the key in the run position (making sure its not in gear, or it will run you over or drive off without you) and stick a piece of metal acrossed the two big solenoid posts. If it starts, either the starter solenoid or ignition switch isnt working.

Btw, it will spark, so don't wanna stick your face right down in there when ya do it. Might save ya from another tow truck though.

FINALLY figured it out.  Something as simply as a loose wire going to the clutch switch which is explains why for several days the car would start if it could be moved a bit or towed somewhere :(    All is now good!  I HATE electrical problems so it AMAZING me that I love this car the way I do :O
3
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Quote from: Skunk;463105
Next time it happens....grab your tire iron....lay down to the rear of the passenger front tire and give the starter a couple of wacks. Then try to start again. No start....give it  couple more wacks and try again.

The starter motor is likely good but either the Bendix (am I still allowed to call it that?) Is bad or the drive gear and or shaft is gunked up. This is assuming it's the old style starter.

John

THANKS!  It's an '86 XR-7 so I think you may have hit upon an idea!!  We had a '59 Chevy when I was growing up and we used to keep a ballpeen hammer handy to whack the solenoid when it would stick so, at least, I have experience with this maneuver :O
4
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Well...here we go again :(  Evidently is was NOT the starter solenoid.  Car refused to start again this morning on the way to work when I stopped at a market.  Had to have her towed again.  So - we've ruled out the neutral safety switch and the starter solenoid.  Would the starter going bad cause this?  When I depress the clutch and turn the key to start, all I get are radio, clock and gauges.  I'm hearing NO sound, no click, no nothing like the car is even trying to start.  I would think that if it was something with the fuel supply (pump, inertia switch, etc.) that she would, at least, try to turn over.  It's like the ignition isn't even trying or I've turned the key to 'accessory.'    Key cylinder and ignition switch were just replaced a few months ago and I've had no problems until this started last week :(
5
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Well, FWIW:  Turned out to be the starter solenoid.  Seems the neutral safety switch has been disconnected the entire 23 years I've owned the car and I never knew :O
6
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Quote from: Tbird232ci;462981
I have had similar issues a while back with the clutch switch.

Thanks!  I'm assuming that a clutch switch and a neutral safety switch are the same thing???
7
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Quote from: Haystack;462976
Could be the neutral safety switch. I've never had one go bad. Try popping the solenoid with a screw driver. If that works, then try adding power to the small wire on the solenoid. If those work then its neutral safety switch or the ignition switch.[/QUOTE

Looks like it's the neutral safety switch :(      My poor lady is on her way to my favorite mechanic since both my repair manuals say it takes a special tool to remove and replace the silly thing without damaging it :(    Some days I HATE the Ford engineers :(
8
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Quote from: Sancho;462974
Neutral safety switch?  I think that's the only starter inhibit, the other lockouts will let it crank if I remember correctly.

Thanks!!  That's what I'm leaning toward too after a bit more reading!!
9
Drivetrain Tech / Non-start question
Last night my 86 XR-7 decided it wouldn't start.  Turned the key and NOTHING.  No slow starter grind, no click, nothing but radio, clock and gauges all came on.  Without going through everything I looked at or thought of, it hit me that it had done this once before a LONG time ago so, I released the parking brake, let the car roll forward about a foot and, voila', she started right up.  Here's my question - what on earth would cause this?  I'm wondering if it's just one of those odd-ball little quirks that happen with this car occasionally or if maybe there's something about to go south that I need to check out.  Any advice is, as always, GREATLY appreciated.
11
Lounge / 1980-1982 thungercougars
They may be getting rare and, I assume that beauty REALLY is in the eye of the beholder but, my gawd were those cars ugly!!  I had a '78 that I loved and still wouldn't mind getting another one of those but these really early 80s cars just didn't look like a t-bird or Cougar to me at all :(
12
Body/Appearance/Interior / Seatbelt wet
First off:  check your trunk.  Mine did something similar and I finally found out it was leaking at the bottom of the rear window which was letting water into the trunk and the rear passenger area.
13
Misc Tech / HR980 compressor and brackets questions
Quote from: 88turbo;462050
You will use your v belt setup. Nothing else will change.

Well, in that case. hey ho let's go - how much do you want for the bracket please?
14
Misc Tech / HR980 compressor and brackets questions
Quote from: 88turbo;462037
here's the pic

Next question:  If I use this bracket with the new compressor that I bought, will I have to change out anything else to make it all work?  In other words, is it just a matter of swapping the bracket and the new compressor or is it going to involve changing belts, other pulleys, etc?  THANKS!!!
15
Electrical Tech / Gauges and turn signals just died
Thank you Eric, SoftTouch and Haystack!!  Ignition switch has now been replaced (it fell apart when touched!!) and everything is back to normal!!  You guys ROCK!!