98 Sable 3.0L 118,000 miles

While driving the red oil light flashed on and then all the other warning lights came on. The engine died and i coasted to the side of the highway. The engine would not start. The starter will not even turn over. Just one click is all you hear when you turn the key.

Here is what i already did and have eliminated:
-checked battery under load. OK (battery is 1 month old)
-battery cables are OK (negative cable 1 month old)
-removed the serpentine belt and tried to start. Same thing, one click from starter. Does not turn over. I thought that maybe the alternator or the A\C compressor was locked up.
-the oil level is OK.....maybe ½ a quart low...within specs.

I am beginning to wonder if the engine seized up. There wasn't any weird sounds or anything. One minute you're driving, the next minute all the red lights come on and you're unable to re-start.

I would suspect the starter, but it has nothing to do with the engine once you have started the engine. My next move is to have it towed to the ford dealership and pay $82 for 1 hour of diagnostics. Any ideas are welcome. thanks!

 

Do you have an OBD-II code reader? Maybe the system set a code before it shut down.

Have you tried jump-starting the car?

When you had the belt off, did you try rotating the crank pully manually (not easy, I know).

I've only heard of a few instances where a 3.0L vulcan "siezed", and it had to do with something in the oil pump intermediate shaft where it connects to the camsahft position synchronizer shaft:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=418521

I would think that you would have heard something like valves ticking or bearings rapping if the oil pump failed, though.

 

Q. Do you have an OBD-II code reader? Maybe the system set a code before it shut down.
A. No, but i could get one from the auto parts store. But i thought the engine had to be running to retrieve a code.

Q. Have you tried jump-starting the car?
A. Yes, with my F150. No starter spin, just 1 click. That's why i removed the battery, took it to the auto store, they load tested it, and it was OK. I put the battery in 5 weeks ago.

Q. When you had the belt off, did you try rotating the crank pully manually?
A. No, but i did try starting the engine, and again, just 1 click, no starter spin. Do you know what size socket fits onto the crank pulley?

Friday,when i get up, i'm going to check 6 or 7 fuses/relays that have 'starter' and 'ignition' in their description. Some are in the power distribution box and one is in the fuse panel under the dash. Maybe something blew.

No sounds of ticking, or tapping or anything happened, so i'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is fuse/relay related. If i get to the point of trying to crank the engine over manually, which way do i turn it? CCW or CW?

 

i wouldnt recommend putting a socet on the pully. you can overtighten and break something.

Matt

 

UPDATE:

Well, the engine was seized. The ford dealer told me the crankshaft spun a bearing or two or even more. They figured the oil pump died and that was that.

Dealership's price: $3700.00 for a rebuilt engine.
Salvage yard's price: $1250.00 for used engine and installation. ($600 for engine+$650 for install)

Well, i'm driving the sable again with a 2000 3.0L with 20,000 miles on the clock. They used the 98's intake because the newer engines have plastic intakes. The car idles smooth and seems to be as good or better than new.

I think $1250 was a great price for the whole deal. They gave a 90 day warranty on the job. What do you all think?

 

Too bad about the siezed engine. I would have to agree with the dealer, the oil pump must have let go.

$1250 for what is essentially a brand new motor, installed w/warranty, is a good price.