Car Not Starting!

[Rance]

Ok. Wife drives car to store, when she gets back I try to start car and it wont start. When i try to start it , sounds almost like a loud scratching sound as if it may be clutch related. So me and my brother push the car in the garage. i try again, and same thing. So about three weeks later, i say what the heck lets see if it will start. And what do ya know it starts right up. So i back it out of the garage , let it run for awhile, then shut it of because i'm cleaning the garage and about to do my dads brakes. After i am done i try to start the car and its doing the same thing. i believe it is clutch related as my clutch is worn very much so. I am planning a 3l after christmas so the car will be down anyway. but has anyone had this problem? or can help me out here.

thanx in advance

rance.

 

[Ray]

Firstly, "clutch related" would have NOTHING to do with the car starting or not. the ONLY thing that would prevent starting in that area, would be the clutch switch and that would completely disable the starter and not make "noise"

Secondly, You aren't aware of what your problem is, and you are asking for help, therefore this belongs in the troubleshooting forum (which I will move it to after this is posted)

Thirdly:
I'd look in to the possibility that your car is exhibiting "no start when warm" conditions. The three weeks has nothing to do with it, other than the fact that it had cooled in that time (and was cool in WAY less time than that.) you started it, and let it run "for a while" (enough to get warm). shut it off, and try to restart.. no start. Wait until it is a COLD ENGINE and try it.. I bet it works again.

Tony will be in here shortly to post the related links to your needed repair.

(Tony, this is where I toss you under the bus! lol)

Gotta run!

 

[Pale Horse]

Sounds to me like a sticking Starter Solenoid or lack of voltage to kick the starter. Here's what I did when I had the same problem and didn't know WTF was going on:

First check for proper voltage to ensure this isn't a newb mistake like bad connection at the battery or something.

Tools Needed:
1 Hammer
1 Long Screwdriver or similar object
Knowledge of where the starter is located (top of tranny under the airbox)

Method:
Place screwdriver (or related object) on starter.
Smack it a couple of times with the hammer.
Try to start again.

If you find that the vehicle starts once you've done this, and you've repeated this process several times when the problem reoccurs, I'd say replace the starter.

 

[98SVTC]

Sounds to me like the starter isn't engaging the ring gear thereby making the "scratching" noise. Probably some teeth missing for the starter drive to make contact with OR the starter drive isn't fully contacting the ring gear and needs some lube on the shaft it runs on.
Karl

 

[Tony2005]

...Tony will be in here shortly to post the related links to your needed repair.

(Tony, this is where I toss you under the bus! lol)
...

I could have sworn I posted regarding this issue before :laugh: . "Scratching sounds" could be anything. The first thing you should do is to read/scan for CEL codes if you have a scanner/reader. If you don't and can get it to start, drive to Autozone or Advanced Auto and get it scanned/read for free and post the codes.

How old is the battery? Change it if more then 5 years. Check the battery fluid if it is not a maintenance free battery.

If you can't get it started, first check to make sure all the wiring is fine. Battery terminals, battery to starter, .... to Power Distribution Box, ... ground (especially the one which goes under the tray).

If all the wiring looks fine, disconnect the battery and then reconnect it. Sometimes, a intermittent PATS may reset itself this way.

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? Change it if more than 2 years.

And yes, it could be a the starter solenoid too.

 

[Dan the rug man]

I had a similar issue on my wifes car. The problem was that the ring gear was partially knocked off the flywheel. The constant attempts at starting ruined the starter silenoid (sp?). The fix was to remove the tranny replace ring gear replaced clutch and associated parts. The problem stemmed from a design flaw. The stop edge on the flywheel is on the starter side not the engine side. Over the years the starter can move the ring gear. This screwed up several starters. Hopefully the problem is corrected. Dan.

 

[SVT3391]

It happened to me this morning!

I was on my regular 33 miles morning commute to DC. Everything was fine until I got off the highway. On my first light, it stalled but started right up. 0.2 miles later while I was pulling into the garage, it stalled right at the gate and blocked all people behind me.

Since all the electronics worked fine, and the starter cranked, I guessed it must have been the PATS problem. I got in the office and borrowed some tools and detached the negative terminal from the battery. 30 seconds later, I reattached the negative cable and started the car at first crank.

It's the second time it happened to me. It had never stalled on me before the 3L swap. Does it have anything to do with a different engine? I think both times I was using the same key. Should I try with another key? It just reminds me that I need to get a third key programmed so I will not lose the ability to program a spare key.

Any one knows how to get a Ford blank key?

Thanks!

 

[moneypitsvt]

It happened to me this morning!

I was on my regular 33 miles morning commute to DC. Everything was fine until I got off the highway. On my first light, it stalled but started right up. 0.2 miles later while I was pulling into the garage, it stalled right at the gate and blocked all people behind me.

Since all the electronics worked fine, and the starter cranked, I guessed it must have been the PATS problem. I got in the office and borrowed some tools and detached the negative terminal from the battery. 30 seconds later, I reattached the negative cable and started the car at first crank.

It's the second time it happened to me. It had never stalled on me before the 3L swap. Does it have anything to do with a different engine? I think both times I was using the same key. Should I try with another key? It just reminds me that I need to get a third key programmed so I will not lose the ability to program a spare key.

Any one knows how to get a Ford blank key?

Thanks!

You should sell the car or drive this nightmare in to a lake. It will never stop until you get rid of it. This car is a lemon and everybody that owns one should run away as fast as they can. Do not kid yourself into thinking you can fix it. This car comes from hell and the devil himself has overseen its construction. Run I say-run for your sanity!!!

 

[ev1lbry4n]

does your car have daylight running lights??

i had a no start problem during the summer and it all lead up to the fuse for daytime running lights. The Constiques were built without drl but it was a option in the states and manitory for cars exported to canada. So the cars were fitted with this running light system and if that fuse blows it shuts the whole car down (igniton,computer,fuel pump) as for the scratching noise i'm stumped good luck with that