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Topic: Car won't crank (Read 2849 times) previous topic - next topic

Car won't crank

I just finished a heater core and got the dash back on, and now my car won't crank, all the lights on my dash and radio work, my car just won't crank or even try to start. So the battery is obviously good, and I don't think anything is mechanically wrong so I'm guessing it's an electrical problem. What could be keeping my car from starting?

-I also have a wireless key entry system installed, I don't think that could really affect anything though.

Car won't crank

Reply #1 –
Does the wireless key entry have an alarm?
Only in America do we use the word "politics" to describe the process so well: "POLI" in latin meaning "many", "TICS" meaning "bloodsucking creatures".

Car won't crank

Reply #2 –
X
No it doesn't seem to, here's the pinout for the wireless key entry system

Car won't crank

Reply #3 –
Do you think it has anything to do with the ecu?

Car won't crank

Reply #4 –
Nss or the trigger wire off the ignition switch are the only two things i know will stop it. Take your ignition switch apart and make sure its not melted.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Car won't crank

Reply #5 –
Ok thanks I'll look at the ignition switch

Car won't crank

Reply #6 –
Where exactly is the trigger wire on a 1988 thunderbird?

Car won't crank

Reply #7 –
I would check the starter relay first. It's quite common failure. Starter relay has three wires - two thick for starter circuit and one thin for a coil. That thin wire is from ignition switch. Relay should click quite loudly when power is applied to the coil and starter motor should start crancking.

Car won't crank

Reply #8 –
Ok so I finally got it to work, these kind of problems always turn out to be simple, it was because my shifter wasn't all the way in park I wiggled it back into park and it worked. Now my only problem is to calibrate the white shifter indication cable that is connected to the steering column, to show the correct gear I'm in haha, any tips for that?

Car won't crank

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Nbrooks;439775
Now my only problem is to calibrate the white shifter indication cable that is connected to the steering column, to show the correct gear I'm in haha, any tips for that?

I would be interested in that tip.  Mine has been off for quite some time now.

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

Car won't crank

Reply #10 –
If the plastic collar is broken, use a hose clamp.

I set mine in "n". Most people only use park reverse and od. Setting it in n makes it easier to line up. I always forget about the shift indicator and break it when i drop the column and never hook it back up.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com
 

Car won't crank

Reply #11 –
Hmm I put my car in neutral and then calibrated it and reverse, neutral, overdrive, drive all show correctly but when put in park, the p isn't orange, because the indicator is halfway between park and reverse.