Hi all. I have a 1991 tempo that was staring just fine. One day (the other day) i went to start it and it does nothing. The little dummy lights come on but when i turn key nothing. No click. No rev. no sound nothing. Checked battery connection and lights and all work. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Oh ever since i got the car the check engine light was on...and still is. DOnt know why and dont know if that has anything to do with not starting or not. Also, car was overheating and i was waiting to fix this problem til it was warmer out. Not a head gasket...dont think cause i did the milky oil check thing...and it looked ok.
2007-12-19 11:56:24 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
SO far thank you all for your responses. I will try each of them, atleast its a start. I will try testing the solenoid, battery and dont know how to check starter...i will report what i find in case other users have similar prob in future..
2007-12-19 12:25:55 · update #1
It could be:
1. Battery - Try asking your neighbor to give you a jump start. See if it will rev your starter.
2. Your ignition Switch - Ignition switch is at the back of were you turn your key. This is a bit tricky to test. you will need to remove the plastics behind your steering wheel to test this.
3. Starter - If your ignition switch is working it's definitely the starter.
2007-12-19 12:09:12 · answer #1 · answered by Emilr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the solenoid. It should be on the inner fender by the battery or on the firewall. It is round and about three inches in diameter. The easiest way to check this is to get a big screwdriver an with the key in the on position touch the two big posts together. It will spark and that's ok but if it turns over then that is your problem.
2007-12-19 20:05:42 · answer #2 · answered by Larry M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check your starter neutral safety switch, you should get that overheating problem look at right away too, that is one of those problems it does get any cheaper on the wallet the longer you wait. The check engine light is a sign there are codes on the computer more then likely emission codes. If your battery has a good charge, try that switch, Good Luck!
2007-12-19 20:41:01 · answer #3 · answered by jeremiah c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be
Starter
Starter solenoid
Ignition switch
Wiring
Most likely the battery, as noted. Using the car with Check Engine light on is not a good idea.
2007-12-19 20:05:24 · answer #4 · answered by Matt D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was an ignition switch recall on that car. The switch contacts would overheat and the plastic would melt, causing the connections to become loose (All Fords of that vintage had the same problem and were recalled). I got 4 stitches in my thumb doing that recall on a Tempo just like yours!
2007-12-19 20:11:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could be any number of things. I think it needs to be buried. :-) But if it's not the battery then it could be the starter. If there is no noise at all it is more likely the battery. It could have a dead cell in it and it would all of a sudden stop running.
2007-12-19 20:00:35 · answer #6 · answered by Frosty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yea.. did you check the spark plugs and the ignition? if not do that and also another sugestion.. american cars suck.. u should get german or japanesse car (new one) the run nice and last a long time so yea ford tempos aren the greatest
2007-12-19 20:01:22 · answer #7 · answered by Pinkman93 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
could be starter, ignition switch,or coil
2007-12-19 20:01:29 · answer #8 · answered by PARTSGUY 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋