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HELP! 1996 Mustang GT Will Not Start! (LONG Description of a WEIRD Problem....)

Hello Everyone:

I have a 1996 GT, 5-speed manual transmission.

A couple of months ago, I noticed that my car wouldn't start. When you turn the key, all you would hear is a click (I am assuming it is the starter solenoid). Then, if you turn the key again and again, sometimes you get lucky and the car starts right up as if there were nothing wrong at all!

I had my battery and starter tested. Battery was bad, but starter was good. Just to be safe, I replaced BOTH items, and I made sure that all connections to the starter and battery were clean and VERY tight.

Car did fine for a while, and then the non-start problem reappeared.

This time I removed the ignition key lock cylinder and sprayed inside the steering column with a generous amount of electronic contact cleaner.

I put the car back together and it started very regularly after that. Maybe once in a GREAT while it wouldn't start, but simply turning the key a second time would make the car fire up right away.

It might be my imagination, but I believe the problem happens more often in warmer weather.

Well, now my car absolutely REFUSES to start. I just get the click when I turn the key. NOTHING else. It WILL NOT turn over at all.

Honestly, I am out of ideas here!

Is there a part that commonly fails on cars this old?

Could it be the ignition switch under the dash?

Is there a switch connected to the clutch pedal? Something else? (INTERESTING NOTE: When my car was healthy, I could start it even if my foot was OFF of the clutch pedal.)

I am really tired of dealing with this. What could possibly be wrong with my car?

Many, many thanks in advance....

Reply to
EADGBE
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You had battery and starter replaced, but did you ever replace the solenoid?

...and, yes, there should be an ignition cut-out in the clutch pedal. The pedal should be pushed in while starting the car.

dwight

Reply to
dwight

Another thing to take into account is the passive secuity system. If it can't read the chip in the key or is buggered in some way it would explain your symptoms.

Dave

Reply to
Deputy Dog

Well, I *think* I found and solved the problem.

It was the small pigtail wire to the starter.

This apparently is the wire from the ignition switch.

When I replaced the starter, I installed automotive electrical plugs on the starter's switch wire and the wire from my car's wiring harness.

The type of plug I installed was the typical "bullet" male plug with the matching socket.

Although I crimped AND soldered both male and female plug parts onto the wires, and although the male plug was still plugged in, it was apparently not quite plugged in enough.

I pushed the bullet plug in a bit further, and I was able to start the car with no problems.

Just to make sure, I gently crimped the socket to make it a bit tighter on the bullet plug and then re-connected the bullet.

Thanks for all the help! I really hope that I have solved this nagging problem this time.

Reply to
EADGBE

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