Won't Start, any suggestions??

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Jun 7, 2004 | 10:38 PM

stealth1

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From: TX

Won't Start, any suggestions??

My wifey called and told and told me her X was dead.I was told it would not turn over, no lights, nothing. A very nice person helped her by taking her battery and having it tested, all was perfect.After the battery was installed the lights were working until she tried to start it then all went dead again, lights, door locks etc. I'm at work and have not had a chance to inspect anything. To me, since nothing works, it seems like a bad terminal or battery cable. If it was the starter the lights would still work. If it was the alternator the battery would not have been charged. Any suggestions?? It is a 97 4dr 2wd with 125,000 miles. I have had it about 3 years and have not ever had any problems at all except routine maint.

Jun 7, 2004 | 11:36 PM

mrshorty

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From: UT

Sounds a lot like what my '87 does when excessive corrosion gets built up on the battery terminal. Make sure the battery cables/terminals are clean and the cables are in good condition.

Jun 7, 2004 | 11:43 PM

stealth1

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From: TX

Thanks for the imput. I thought the same thing right off the bat but I put new terminials on less than a year ago and they look perfect. Although I have had a yota truck that once in a while the terminials would glaze over, for the lack of a better term. It may be that simple. As I stated i have not looked at it yet and was just trying to gather any and all opinions. It is broke down in an Academy parking lot. What is better than that? Work on it a little then take a break and go buy some fishing stuff. (repeat last line over and over till your out of cash)Whoo Hooo!!!!!!!

Jun 8, 2004 | 05:11 AM

marragtop

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From: Baltimore

Make sure the neg cable from the battery is properly grounded on the motor. Also, although you may have new terminal ends, the cable(s) iteslf could be internally corroded. Have someone trying to start the car, and push/pull the cables around to see if any difference.

Mike

Jun 8, 2004 | 05:15 AM

stealth1

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From: TX

I get off at 6am and I'm headed over to check. I'll try the above, thanks. I'll post findings, if any..

Jun 8, 2004 | 07:38 AM

jonm61

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From: Marietta, GA

I've had a similar problem in the past on my Taurus, which I had replaced the terminal ends on. The negative cable kept coming loose, so make sure that you've got a good connection between the cables and the terminal ends. Also, if you got painted terminal ends, you should scrape the paint out where the cables connect. I ended up replacing mine a second time, with unpainted ones, on the advice of a mechanic. I never had another problem with it after that.

Jun 8, 2004 | 10:07 AM

thelonerangerxlt

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Like Mike said, check the ground cable. On your model, it probably connects to a starter bolt. I've had this problem three times (Jeep and Mustangs), and every time it was the battery ground to the engine. It's often overlooked.....