Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? July 26, 2010, 11:32:19 PM This is on my 95 T-bird but the same prinls apply to it as a fox;) So I went to drive my 95 tonight and it won't start. The engine won't turn over at all. The battery is charged fully and the car had started and run fine an hour before. The fuel pump will prime when the key is turned to run as well. I'm going to pull the thing tomorrow morning to check it but I'm pretty sure since it's a sudden failure that it has to be the ignition switch correct? Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #1 – July 26, 2010, 11:40:56 PM Quote from: thunderjet302;329619This is on my 95 T-bird but the same prinls apply to it as a fox;) So I went to drive my 95 tonight and it won't start. The engine won't turn over at all. The battery is charged fully and the car had started and run fine an hour before. The fuel pump will prime when the key is turned to run as well. I'm going to pull the thing tomorrow morning to check it but I'm pretty sure since it's a sudden failure that it has to be the ignition switch correct?The way to check the ignition switch is to see if it gets 12V at the small wire going to the solenoid on top of the starter when you turn the key to start (not run) position. If it does get the 12v then you can have possibly a solenoid or starter motor failure. If your car also uses the traditional fender mounted solenoid in conjunction with the solenoid piggyback on the newer type high torque starter, then check the 12v there at the fender mounted solenoid first and verify that 12v is there to the small wire only when the key is turned to start. You can also verify that the 12v from that small wire is activating the fender mounted solenoid to switch the battery current to run to the starter.If you get no 12v to the small starter solenoid wire or the fender mounted solenoid then you likely have an ignition switch problem... Or possibly even a neutral safety switch problem. Keep in mind as well if there is an alarm system installed that has a starter disable, it may interfere with the activation of the starting circuit if that fails as well. With factory installed security systems, they are usually connected to a plug under the dash somewhere near the security control module or up on the LH side under the dash to the left of the brake pedal. Cars that do not have factory installed security systems or a manual transmission clutch switch have a jumper plug installed into the connector under the dash. I know lots of info I am spitting out here but hopefully it covers all possible bases I can think of. Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #2 – July 27, 2010, 10:44:23 AM I'd figure the sw isn't a likely cause... Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #3 – July 27, 2010, 11:53:26 AM Does it have a brake pedal interlock, or shifter interlock? The mn12's have problems with those.:D Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #4 – July 27, 2010, 04:40:08 PM I checked the ignition switch is fine. All the electrial stuff in the car works so it has to be a starting system issue. Battery terminals are clean as well. It did start once this morning but that's it. It runs fine once it's started. Nothing is getting power in the starting system when I turn the key. No clicking no grinding, nothing. I'm going to have to check the starting system and the mlps in the trans at this point. I love how electrical goes out without warning:mullet: Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #5 – July 27, 2010, 05:36:25 PM If it has an aftermarket alarm I'd follow watchdevil's advice...Also, try starting it with the tranny in neutral... Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #6 – July 27, 2010, 07:49:43 PM X2 on neutral. Maybe a bad positive wire? Whats your voltage at the ALT compared to your battery? Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #7 – July 27, 2010, 08:45:34 PM Quote from: thunderjet302;329684I checked the ignition switch is fine. All the electrial stuff in the car works so it has to be a starting system issue. Battery terminals are clean as well. It did start once this morning but that's it. It runs fine once it's started. Nothing is getting power in the starting system when I turn the key. No clicking no grinding, nothing. I'm going to have to check the starting system and the mlps in the trans at this point. I love how electrical goes out without warning:mullet:This happened to me right before I changed my starter. I am suspecting a starter failure which includes the piggy back selonoid. Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #8 – July 27, 2010, 10:23:37 PM Sometimes it's good to work in a library and have access to TSBs from the past 30 years:D. I found a TSB about a no start problem with 94-95 3.8 T-birds and Cougars. Turns out that the electrical connector on the starter solenoid (which is on the starter) can corrode and cause the car not to start. The remedy is to clean the contacts and put some dielectric grease on the contacts. I did that and sure enough the car started. I started it about 20 times since I've cleaned the contacts and it has started every time:D Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #9 – July 27, 2010, 11:54:58 PM Quote from: thunderjet302;329747Sometimes it's good to work in a library and have access to TSBs from the past 30 years:D. I found a TSB about a no start problem with 94-95 3.8 T-birds and Cougars. Turns out that the electrical connector on the starter solenoid (which is on the starter) can corrode and cause the car not to start. The remedy is to clean the contacts and put some dielectric grease on the contacts. I did that and sure enough the car started. I started it about 20 times since I've cleaned the contacts and it has started every time:DI completely forgot that is a OE technical problem that is always addressed in the enclosed instructions when I sell replacement starters. I do remember coming accross the advisory reading the instructions that came with the high torque starter that I recently bought for my Bird. Quote Selected
Engine won't turn over bad ignition switch? Reply #10 – July 28, 2010, 11:55:40 AM It's always nice when repairs are free as I already had dielectric grease sitting around in the garage. Quote Selected
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