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Topic: Emergency Car Problem!!! (Read 1393 times) previous topic - next topic

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Ok, so I get to work today and turn off the car, however, the key gets stuck in the ignition, plus whenever I turn the ignition to a certain position, the Turbo Buzzer goes off. After a few turns and wiggles, I get the key out and continue on my merry way.

At lunch I go out to the car and prepare to leave. I put the key in the ignition, and turn it to start...nothing. No cranking.

When I turn the key to Acc, all the lights, radio, clock, etc come on just like normal. However, when I turn the key to that certain "point" where the engine should start cranking, nothing happens.

I see the power to my CD player and the clock turn off when I'm holding the key in that start position, but again, the engine will not crank.

So, leaving the key in the ACC position, I pop the hood and using a heavy duty wire I happened to have in my trunk, I jump the two connectors located on the Starter Solenoid. After some sparks, the engine starts cranking and turns right on.

At that point I had to head back to work, so I got in the car, and turned it off like I normally would with the Key.

Flash forward to tonight. Once again, I had to jumper the two Posts on the Starter Solenoid to get the engine started. I drove all the way home with the ignition in "Run" position, however everything in the car seemed to act like it was on Acc.

All the lights on the Dash were ON. The Radio worked like normal, as did the lights. HOWEVER, the A/C would not turn on, and the power brakes failed. I had to stand on the brake pedal to stop the car the whole time.

I got home safely, and turned the car off. Tried to start it normally, but again, nothing. I turn the key to the position where the engine usually starts cranking, but nothing happens.

Any ideas???
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
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Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #1 –
Ignition switch?
(not the key lock cylinder)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #2 –
My first guess would be the ignition switch.  Same thing happened to me in my old blue 87.  Same symptoms. I replaced the switch, and Viola!  It worked correct.  Take the lower steering collumn cover off and look at the switch itself. Any meltiness on the switch and or harness and its time to replace.
88 TC, Lots of Mods.

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #3 –
I should also mention that while driving, none of the Gauges were working. Gas, Oil Pressure, Temp...nothing. Turn signals didn't work either.
<---One must always remember to Remain cool, calm and collected when dealing with your fellow man, especially on the Internet....
-DMC24guy
[/SIZE]

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #4 –
Yea, that's your ignition switch.  Same exact things happened to my '88.

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #5 –
I second (or third) the ignition switch.My gauges went out,and the car would still run,no radio either,no signals.You'sd better replace the switch quick.Mine gave out while I was driving home,stalled the car about 3 blocks from home.Luckily I wasn't on the Interstate or something.After you change that (about $10.00),check to see if your key and tumbler work as they should.Your tumbler may be getting bad as well,but don't change that until the ignition switch is done so you can be sure.One more thing,you'll need a special torx bit that has a small peg in the middle to remove the two screws that hold the ignition swith onto the column.Autozone has them for 2 or 3 dolars.I bought a whole set for something like $7.00.Good luck.Again,get it changed fast so you don't end up stranded away from home and a parts store.It only takes about 5 minutes to change if you take your time.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #6 –
Those switches are a common problem...

Ford issued a recall several years ago due to them catching fire... Ask Carmen about that problem...

You don't need to jump the solenoid with wire, just jump the small terminal to the battery cable connection... Engine cranks with no sparks(if not the solenoid is bad, or battery/starter is prob)

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #7 –
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;156763
Those switches are a common problem...
 
Ford issued a recall several years ago due to them catching fire... Ask Carmen about that problem...
 
You don't need to jump the solenoid with wire, just jump the small terminal to the battery cable connection... Engine cranks with no sparks(if not the solenoid is bad, or battery/starter is prob)

 
yeah i read that "State of the Cat". sent chills down my spine! what have i done? NOTHING. havent had any issues but I do NOT want my car to go up in flames any more than the next guy. Sheesh, I gotta get on that....
1987 20th Anniversary Cougar, 302 "5.0" GT-40 heads (F3ZE '93 Cobra) and TMoss Ported H.O. intake, H.O. camshaft
2.5" Duals, no cats, Flowmaster 40s, Richmond 3.73s w/ Trac-Lok, maxed out Baumann shift kit, 3000 RPM Dirty Dog non-lock TC
Aside from the Mustang crinkle headers, still looks like it's only 150 HP...
1988 Black XR7 Trick Flow top end, Tremec 3550
1988 Black XR7 Procharger P600B intercooled, Edelbrock Performer non-RPM heads, GT40 intake AOD, 13 PSI @5000 RPM. 93 octane

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #8 –
One more in agreement with the switch. I had the same thing happen last year....except for the brakes part.
 

Emergency Car Problem!!!

Reply #9 –
Been there done that, I agree with the switch diag.  Went thru that last fall had the pleasure of about a five mile ride with the wife filling me in on the joy of this T-Bird all without radio heat lights signal etc