Skip to main content
Topic: 1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems (Read 2187 times) previous topic - next topic

1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems

Well, our cougar is making this scratching noise or squeeling noice when we switch the starter to fire the car up.  It isnt starting, but sounds like it wants too.  All i want to know is where it is located, some kind of picture, or a descirption on how we can see where it is.  Also we need to know a trick to get it started, something with a screw driver or something bang on it, and it will start up.  So we can get where we need to get for tonight.

help us out please.

Re: 1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems

Reply #1
How loud is the noise?
Chances are the "bendix" gear is shot. I've had it happen three times so far, and all I did was replace the starter motor.
It's a fairly easy task with just two bolts or so, but you will have to pull the bolt out of the passenger side motor mount and jack up the engine a little bit to get the old starter out (and new one in).
If it isn't loud, I'm not sure what it could be.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Re: 1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems

Reply #2
Actually cougar if you jack up the car a bit and take off the right front wheel you can access the top starter bolt with a ratchet and medium extension through an access hole in the k frame.
But getting back to the problem at hand.
I think your stuck for tonight,even if you get it started you may not get it started again when leaving your destination.

Re: 1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems

Reply #3
Actually dominator, I was referring to the physical removal and installation of the starter motor. On both my '86 and my '88, I had to lift the engine by an inch or two to get the starter motor out. The top bolt can be accessed without removing the wheel. It just takes several extensions through the holes in the strut tower.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Re: 1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems

Reply #4
Never had a problem on my 88 5.0l bird,wiglled right out the bottom,never heard of anybody having to lift the eng on these cars.

 

Re: 1988 MERCURY COUGAR starter problems

Reply #5
My Starter already fell off on the street in front of my parent home 6 year ago :giggle:
When my friend closed it's door, we heard it drop... :giggle: :giggle: The face my friend did was priceless....

I didnt had to lift the car to put it back there....  but if i had a jack to lift the front pass side it could have been easier...