This morning when I tried to start my car the only sound it made was a clicking noise. It almost sounded like dropping a small rock into a big pot. And that's the only sound it makes. My battery is fine. I called AAA to come get my car and take it to a shop and when I showed them I heard the words "starter" and "maybe cylinoid..." does anyone here have experience with this and maybe know what it is? If it helps in allowing you to deduce.. It's well below freezing where I am right now. I don't know if that affects anything.
BTW my car is a '97 mustang
2006-12-08 11:14:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
starter
2006-12-08 11:17:40 · answer #1 · answered by Lg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AAA didn't help you out ?? I would first clean both battery terminals and posts with a battery brush, available at auto supply or wal mart for a couple bucks. I would then try to start it. If still same follow positive battery cable to where it connects to either your starter or it will connect to a plastic module with another wire that continues on to the starter. check these connections for corrosion or broken wires in the battery cable. If necessary to take connections loose to clean be sure to remove positive battery cable first. Did AAA jump start or try to ?? If you have a solenoid mounted near the battery, the module with two battery cables on it, you can short across these two terminals with a screwdriver. If that engages the starter your starter is ok if it doesn't engage then you have a problem with the battery. You will get some arcing from the screwdriver so make a firm move and make a connection, don't let the arcing make you jump. Do a good cleaning job on all connections first. NEVER replace any part till you know the problem.
2006-12-08 20:57:49 · answer #2 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your starter is most likely the problem. Ford's dont always use a solenoid on the starter, they usually have one mounted on the fender or the firewall. What you're hearing is the gear from the starter trying to engauge to the engines flywheel to try and spin the engine over. If the internal parts of the starter become worn enough they won't pass enough electricity to allow the starter to turn properly, thus a clicking/clunking sound.
2006-12-08 19:24:59 · answer #3 · answered by stoaste 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The solenoid is the fault, the switching, clicking noise you here is the electromagnet closing the contacts inside the solenoid, but due to corrosion the contacts arenot closing all the way. This is making it so the full power of the battery does not reach the starter to spin the armature, only enough to to activate the starter drive. (starter drive moves but will not spin). possably a ground issue but not as likely.
2006-12-08 19:28:05 · answer #4 · answered by tom_walker86 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No doubt in my mind.Time to replace the starter.Unfortunately,
this is another one of Ford's "better ideas."
More often than not,the elec. connections at the starter are left
open to the elements & develop some serious corrossion.
The solenoid is probably internal.
Most likely,the hot wire is only hanging on by a thread,not per-
mitting enough current to flow thru to turn the engine over.
2006-12-08 20:00:55 · answer #5 · answered by huppercupper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This particular vehicle has two solenoids. One fender mounted and one starter mounted. Could be either one. Do you have an alarm system? Could be a cutoff switch not letting current pass. Could also be the battery as extreme weather(hot or cold) kills them. Double check your cable connections for corrosion and clean if necessary.
2006-12-09 02:22:25 · answer #6 · answered by j f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
starter, the clicking noise is the solenoid working.
2006-12-08 19:22:14 · answer #7 · answered by lucky 13 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋