Need some help

[Foxy90GT]

I'm sure this will be simple for you guys to figure out and i will more than likely get teased in the process but oh we'll lol. I'm determined to fix this.

Foxy wouldn't start the other day. Seemed like just a dead battery issue. I took the battery to get charged and tried again. Had lights and everything going once I put the battery back in but the second I try to start it everything goes dead. It will stay that way for a minute or two then the lights will turn back on like normal. Engine won't turn or anything, starter isn't making any noise. Is this the alternator? Thought I'd get some input before trying to buy anything and replacing it.

[Damnittsteve]

call CCARS, they do great work.

[Rick Modena]

Sounds like the solonoid by the battery. There is away to bypass it with a screwdriver. Im assuming you dont have an aftermarket alarm?

[Rick Modena]

Also it could be a host of other problems, starter, ignition switch under the steering wheel, loose connection on the battery, distrubutor, the alternator is not going to prevent it from starting, but will keep it from charging. Though I haven't had a fox body in a few years.

[Foxy90GT]

No after market alarm. I thought about the starter but it hasn't given me any trouble. And I didn't see why that would cause everything to go dead in the car the second I turned the key to third position.

[kingjason]

Sounds like the battery or cables. They go really bad sometimes and wont do anything even with jumper cables hooked to them.

[91GriggsGT]

I would start with the battery cables making sure the ends were good, had good contact to the battery, solenoid, and ground. If the ends are corroded, you can replace those or clean them. If the cables are all hard and brittle, good chance they have some corrosion in them as well so replace them.

If you are not hearing the starter do anything, could be the solenoid. You can try doing the jumper method with a screwdriver as mentioned above. Make sure all your connections there are good and tight. If you can't get the starter to engage using the jumper method, good chance the solenoid is shot.

I don't know of a way to check the ignition switch under the dash. Don't have to deal with it anymore since I ripped mine out, so maybe someone can chime in on that one.

It sounds like you have a draw or short somewhere. I have had cars that when I hit the key to start it, everything dies and when I let up on the key, everything comes back. There is enough juice to power everything, but not enough to kick the starter.

Start simple, and cheap, and work your way from there.

[YALE]

The way to check the ignition switch is by feeling for over travel. All those contacts are held in by their housing, and it typically goes when the housing crumbles from old age. If you can turn the switch past where it needs to be, and there's no resistance from the return spring, your switch is butt fucked.

[Foxy90GT]

Sounds like the solonoid by the battery. There is away to bypass it with a screwdriver. Im assuming you dont have an aftermarket alarm?

dumb question: how do i bypass it with a screwdriver?

I would start with the battery cables making sure the ends were good, had good contact to the battery, solenoid, and ground. If the ends are corroded, you can replace those or clean them. If the cables are all hard and brittle, good chance they have some corrosion in them as well so replace them.

If you are not hearing the starter do anything, could be the solenoid. You can try doing the jumper method with a screwdriver as mentioned above. Make sure all your connections there are good and tight. If you can't get the starter to engage using the jumper method, good chance the solenoid is shot.

I don't know of a way to check the ignition switch under the dash. Don't have to deal with it anymore since I ripped mine out, so maybe someone can chime in on that one.

It sounds like you have a draw or short somewhere. I have had cars that when I hit the key to start it, everything dies and when I let up on the key, everything comes back. There is enough juice to power everything, but not enough to kick the starter.

Start simple, and cheap, and work your way from there.

i looked at the cables. they look ok but i did think about replacing those. i cleaned the terminals they had a little corrosion but look pretty clean now

The way to check the ignition switch is by feeling for over travel. All those contacts are held in by their housing, and it typically goes when the housing crumbles from old age. If you can turn the switch past where it needs to be, and there's no resistance from the return spring, your switch is butt fucked.

i still feel some resistance from the key, it's not like i can keep turning it past the point i usually can


i guess next step will be the cables and a battery.

[4eyedwillie]

From your description it sounds like poor contact on the cables. Don't just look at the battery, look where the cables bolts to the block and starter solinoid also. I'm had this happen when a negative battery cable was slightly loose on the engine block.

[Foxy90GT]

From your description it sounds like poor contact on the cables. Don't just look at the battery, look where the cables bolts to the block and starter solinoid also. I'm had this happen when a negative battery cable was slightly loose on the engine block.

good point. i'll go check that now

[91GriggsGT]

Use an INSULATED screwdriver. Very important. If you use a cheap, jacked up screwdriver that does not have any protective coating on the handle, such as plastic or rubber, well, lets just say your hair will be a little more curly.

Anyway, using the screwdriver, place it between the big post on the solenoid, which should be your battery lead, and then touch the screwdriver to the small terminal which should be your ignition switch. It will post likely spark so be ready. Make sure the car is in neutral too and the ignition is on.

[Spector93]

If there is resistance on the key then I would say its the ignition switch replace it its cheap like $15. If not its prob got a fuse link issue in the wiring harness.