Help, I went outside, and my car would not crank, my lights and radio worked fine?

Question

I HAVE A 97 MERCURY SABLE, AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, I HEARD NOTHING, NO CLICKING OR ANYTHING, AND MY LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED FINE, NO DIMMING....I WAITED ABOUT 2 HOURS, AND MY CAR CRANKED AND STARTED RIGHT UP... WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS?? WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN??

Answer 1

It sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere. Check all connections. There may be corrosion. Clean and reattach terminals. You can have the battery checked for free at most auto supply stores. If you can get the starter off, they will check it too for free. If there had been a click, then I would also suspect the starter. Your starter motor takes much more power than lights or radio. That is why they might still work with a poor connection.

Answer 2

There are many possibles here!! sounds like the ignition switch didn't make contact the first time?? maybe its going bad! next time give it a wiggle and jiggle and see if that helps, yes the cables could be loose but not just at the battery because it sounds as though you had good power to the lights and radio etc so, how about at the starter! the contacts, or brushes could be getting too used up also,, anything loose could have gotten jarred back into contact by closing the doors!! I would bet more on the brushes or the ignition switch!!!!!!

Answer 3

we could decide one concern at a time. #a million. value your battery with an low priced, self leveling computerized battery charger from Sears or any motor vehicle components save. Set the charger @ 2 amps. The charger will pass right into a "drift mode" whilst the battery is totally charged. the excellent thing approximately this type of charger is it won't over value the battery and boil the acid interior and deform the plates. whilst the battery is totally charged a green easy will come on. #2. attempt the battery voltage with an low priced volt meter by ability of twisting the midsection knob @ 20 volts. whilst totally charged a clean battery will attempt 12.6 volts. #3. touch the battery terminals with the volt meter first then ask somebody to start up the automobile. With the engine working the battery ought to attempt between 13.5 - 14.2 volts. it is the conventional alternator charging voltage. If the voltage is under 13.5, the alternator needs to get replaced. #4 If the engine nevertheless did no longer start up with the volt meter touching the battery what did the volt meter study? If it dropped back to 0 whilst somebody tried to start up it, the battery needs to get replaced. #5. Any save that sells new batteries can do a *15 2d load attempt on your battery to work out what the reserve amperage skill is. it is the terrific attempt to teach the commencing potential of the battery. #6. in case you do no longer opt to speculate in a $20.00 multi-tester which consists of a volt meter, any motor vehicle components save had $5.00 battery hydrometers to objective the battery acid in each and every guy or woman cellular of your battery. it will take 5 minutes of a while to ascertain of one of the cells has shorted out. If one cellular exams rather low after charging the battery it is an indication the battery needs to get replaced

Answer 4

If it was your cellinoid switch, there would be a zapping sound at least. I am going to say your battery posts are badly corroded. If they are , sometimes the connection will go through, sometimes not. Try taking the battery cables off and cleaning them with soda & small wire brush, both cables & both posts. When you get them back on (without tightening them too tight,as you may break the posts), put some grease on the posts and the bolt and nuts that hold the cables on. That will keep it from getting condensation on them, and corroding again. Just a thought.

Answer 5

If this happens again then smack the starter body hard while somebody holds the key to the start position. If this action immediately engages the starter then the starter is at fault. replace as neccessary.

Answer 6

You may be in need of a new battery or to have your battery recharged. Take and have it tested. A dead battery can sometimes crank if it has absorbed some energy from the warmth of the day.

Answer 7

Sounds like the brushes inside the starter are worn out. When the vehicle is warm it may not start, but will start when cooled down. Eventually the starter will fail altogether. I suggest replacing your starter.

Answer 8

check the battery cables, they might be loose or have some corrosion build-up

Answer 9

It may be your "starter" starting to go.

Answer 10

need a new startermoter