HELP my car won't start!!!!?

Question

OK heres the story, I have a 97 ford explorer 4dr with the 5.0 v8 w/ aprox. 88000 miles. Last friday before going to school it wouldn't start. At first i thought is was the security system b/c if you unlock the car then about 20 secs later is locks automatically and you can't start the car. So i got out and locked it and tried again but it still wouldn't work so i tried it one more time and the car started. It worked fine over the weekend because I used it to get gas and go to the gym. Over the weekend I put the alarm in valet (which is pretty much just shutting it off). This morning it did the same thing, and it won't start. I even tried again when i got home from school. The car doesn't even attempt to turn over i just turn the key and nothing happens! I think it may be the battery but the battery gauge still shows a little less than 1/4. The lights on the dash still go on and so do the lights in the back. No i didn't leave my lights on and run out the battery. Someone please help

I just tested the battery. 12.6 V DC and about 5 amps. Now i'm thinking maybe something with the wiring or maybe the starter. I jump it when my dad gets home.

thylawyer- yes i do hear a click but 5 amps seems like enough power ill try the battery swap/ jump later. It could be the alarm b/c it talks about cutting off power to the starter in the manual but i keep moving it to valet and regular with no effects. Also i dont think i havethat cut-off feature on mine anyway.

Answer 1

brushs on the starter or generator wore down?

Answer 2

A lot of times the lights still come on solution won't rule out a bad battery. You need the battery at nearly full volts to give the juice to turn the engine over. First get a wrench on the battery cables and make sure that they are both very tight. if you can move them at all, then they are not tight enough. If that doesn't solve it, Have someone jump start the car and if runs and continues to run with no problems until you shut it off then it is likely the battery has no ability to hold a deep cell charge, if the car dies as soon as you remove the red cable from your dead cars battery then the problem is likely the alternator. If you can remove the battery, almost any national auto parts store will test it for free. Same with the alternator (the motor that re-charges the battery and gives the car power while the engine is running). This is the most likely things however it could be something else. hope This helps.

Answer 3

Radio Shack has a gadget that you plug into your cigarette lighter. It will tell you how well your battery is doing. When/if you start the car, it will tell you if there is a problem charging the battery (alternator may be bad). A garage mechanic can do the same thing if you can get it to the garage.

Starting the car requires a lot of amps to turn the engine over. The lights and stuff just require a little. You may hear a click when you try to start the car if the battery is not pushing out enough amps.

I'm not sure why the low battery would affect the security feature, though. The security system may have a short.

Answer 4

Get a friend or neighbor to come over and jump start your vehicle. This will help you to determine if the battery in your car is dead or not. Since it won't even turn the starter motor, it sounds like you have a bad battery. The fact that you get dash light doesn't mean the battery is good. It simply doesn't have the cranking power to start the engine.

Answer 5

Sounds like the relay that the alarm uses to shut off the engine is malfunctioning.It can be replaced.It's a coloured plastic cube with 3 metal fins.Look for it close to the fusebox.
If all else fails,talk to the manufacturer of the alarm system.If you say it won't turn over,i presume the engine is fine but the alarm is denying power to the starter.
Good luck

Answer 6

It sounds like it could be your alarm that is preventing you from starting your car. (possibly). Try having someone disconnect the alarm, and then try to start it. If that doesn't work, you may need a new battery. If you can get it started and over to Auto Zone or Advanced Auto Parts, they will test it for free to see what the problem is. Good luck!

Answer 7

Since the lights come on in the dash you may have a bad fuse or relay in the starting circuit, another possibility is a bad starter solenoid.

Answer 8

try swapping your battery with a friends to see if it will start with a new battery

Answer 9

whistle for a cab and when it comes near the license plate should say fresh and if so t'will have dice in the mirror, if anything you could say that 'this cab is rare' but you should think 'nah forget' it, yo holmes to bel air!'

Answer 10

COULD BE YOUR STARTER SWITCH....CALL YOUR SERVICE MAN AND ASK HIM....HE`LL BE ABLE TO SUGGEST SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO...