I have an Expedition but thought someone could help me with my 1996 Probe-manual. It's worth a try for it is sitting in a 7-11 parking lot as I type.

It has been running GREAT with no problems. In fact, I got in and out of the car several times this morning until I pulled into a 7-11 and then tried to start it. Radio comes on, power windows go up and down, battery gauge is showing juice. However, it is dead when I turn the key. Seems like a fuse blew. Similar to trying to start the car without the clutch engaged... does nothing but turn on the radio.

Special Note: Two days ago I cleaned off the battery cables with baking soda and water because they were loaded with acid... could this have affected it???

1. Does anyone have suggestions?

2. Or, is there a "Ford Car Enthusiast" site like this one?

Your help is appreciated.

Fishiman

 

OK...based on what you're saying, it sounds as though the car has some amperage, but not enough to get the car to start. There are a few possible causes for this:

1. With your recent battery cable issues, it is possible that part of the cable has corroded and there is only a small amount of wire actually conducting electricity from the battery. The wire could be sufficient to power the radio/windows, but insufficient to power the starter. It's worth a check, but I'd expect that if this were the case and you tried to start the car, you'd cook the little bit of wire that is there, and nothing would work now.

2. Somewhere between the battery and starter, juice isn't getting through. Not being intimately familiar with Probes, I'm guessing there is NOT a fuse between the battery and starter, so trace the battery cable from the batt to the starter. Any problems? Is the starter post corroded off?

3. The battery is dead. Sometimes, batteries can put off 12V and enough amperage to run a radio, etc., but not enough amperage to start a car. This is why batteries get load tested instead of simply voltage tested. Take the battery to an auto-parts store, sears, etc., and they should load test it for free for you.

4. The starter control wire is fried. When you turn the key, a small wire takes 12V to the starter solenoid (probably integrated into the starter) to get it to engage. If this wire fries, no starty starty. The simple check for this: turn on the headlights and turn the key. If they lights don't dim, then you've probably got a starter or starter wire problem. If they do dim, then the starter is getting enough juice to engage the solenoid, but not enough to turn over.

5. The clutch is not working. Do you get a click or anything when you turn the key? Anything? Have you tried starting in neutral? It's a long shot, but it might be worthwhile.

6. The starter or starter solenoid is shot. If you have power at the starter, and it won't start, this is the next likely possibility. You could try to jump over the starter solenoid to the starter (with the car in Neutral and someone in the driver's seat holding the clutch and brake pedal down), but this isn't the safest thing to do. If you don't know how to do this, it's probably not a good idea to try to tell you how over the net. A better idea is to pull the starter out and take it to an auto-parts store that can check it.

7. The engine has severe damage or is full of water. If the electrical system is OK and the starter is good, then something in the engine is preventing it from turning over. You can try turning the main pulley on the engine to see if it turns over.

If you need to get the car moved, you could have a few friends help you push start it. Have someone "drive" with the car in 3rd gear or so, with the clutch in and key turned to "on". Push it as fast as you can get it going, and let go. Then, have the friend drop the clutch. Lather, rinse, repeat. Make sure you let go of the car before he drops the clutch, or you'll find yourself eating Probe trunk.

After you try a few things, let us know what happens.

 

Farmlaw,

Thanks for your quick reply. I immediately thought of the cables too. I am sure cleaning the cables of corrosion is like changing to oil then getting an oil leak. Sometimes you best to leave it along. However, I did try to start it in neutral, emergency brake on and both clutch engaged and not engaged. Same problem.

Note: What is interesting is if I try to crank it without the clutch engaged it make NO noise at all. Dead except for radio and dash lights. However, if I engage the clutch then I hear a slight buzzing or electrical noise.

So, you may be right on one of two of your thoughts. 1. Battery is dead or 2. cables are bad.

If you have any additional thoughts, please let me know but I will attempt to test using your suggestions.

Thanks so much!

Fishiman

 

If the radio and dash lights are unaffected by your trying to start it, I would think the battery is probably ok. If it was bad, then likely the radio would cut out and dash lights would dim or go out when you tried to start it. I'm thinking more along the lines of: bad cable from battery to starter, bad starter/starter solenoid, or bad starter wire controlling the starter.

Have you tried the push start technique?

 

I'd try jumping or push starting then head to an Interstate Battery shop, Sears, Sam's Club, etc and have them run a comprehensive system check (most will do so for free). It'll most likely pinpoint the problem or at least rule out items such as battery, starter, alternator...

Good Luck.

 

It could also be the clutch start switch. This is the switch that makes you put the clutch in before you start it. I have seen them go bad before. It works along the same principal as a neutral saftey switch on an automatic transmission.

 

I jumpered out the clutch start switch on my escort, since it was a little flaky. I would try that first. Then, I would bet that a fusible link has blown. You will need either a chiltons or haynes manual that has wiring diagrams. Just start tracing from the batter to the starter, and then to the ignition switch. A DVOM and a test light can be handy for that.

 

Thanks to all who communicated back. The Probe is back in action... sort of.

From your input, I isolated the problem to the battery and terminal cables. The connections must be bad. I noticed the dome lamp in the car go dead when I tried to start the vehicle. It was obvious there was not enough juice to stroke the starter. I immediately hooked up the jumper cables and it fired right up. Of course, running great back to the house. Now, i guess, I need to clean the connectors so there is proper charging. The battery is only about two years old so I will assume it was not getting a full charge for quite some time.

I think my troubles are over... knock knock on wood.

thanks again for all your input.

Fishiman