Gman91

Ok so a few days ago my radio started acting up (all fuzzy and junk) so i pulled it out and rewired it. I sat in the car for about 5 min listening to music, i do have a loud sound system in the car and i didn't have the car started. I went inside took a shower and got ready to go cash my check. I jumped in my car tried turning it over but nothing happend no clicking nothing. All my dash lights turned on and i could hear my fuel pump turn on. I thought it was the battery so i went and bought a brand new one in and it started just fine. 3 days later i was leaving work and it was a little hesitant to start but finally did. The next morning i go out to start my car and like before nothing happened. everyone has been telling me its my starter or solenoid. But if my dash lights/stereo/amp and all the stuff turns on that means my battery has juice right. I also know its not my alternator cause i have push started it and ran my high beams and they don't seem dim at all. I do not have any money right now to put into the car and also don't really have no way to jack the car up to check out the starter. If anyone has had similar issues and knows of a way to check on a budget that would be cool. By the way its a 1995 ford contour 4-cyl 2.0L and has a 5-speed manual trans. My check engine light is also on and my parking break light is also on when im driving. When i stop the car put it in neutral the check engine light turns off so i cant get it diagnosed.

Davescort97

On you CEL take it to Autozone or Advance and they'll pull the codes for you free. If the problem isn't the alternator or battery then something is draining the system or your starter is bad. An easy way to tell if something is draining your battery when the car is off and sitting is to disconnect one of the battery terminals and put a test light between the battery and the cable. If it lights up when the car is off, something is draining the battery. To find out what you just start pulling fuses until the light goes out. Then, you know that circuit is draining the battery and you can look into it a little closer.

Gman91

Ok so i took my battery out and charged it, threw it back in and still nothing. I havent been able to jack my car up to short circuit the starter, but im pretty damn sure it isnt my starter. I cant locate the solenoid so i cant check the voltage on it. But i did realize something just a bit ago when i was messing with my car. When i tried turning it over my stereo faceplaye usually says welcome, but instead of it saying welcome it said good bye and i could here a short. I pulled my cd player out and checked it once again and didnt find any loose wires etc. I did unhook all the wires and coverd them with tape and tried it again still nothing the battery had a full charge and all the dash lights/ stereo / windshield wipers (even on high) lights and all that came on just as normal as they would when the car is running. Im lost on what to do im thinking it may be my ignition switch, but i dont know where it is at on my car.

Davescort97

Thanks for that excellent description. A well stated problem is a problem half solved. If the solenoid on the starter is bad and the battery is fully charged the solenoid will make a clicking racket. You say you get nothing when you turn the switch. I've heard of quite a few Escorts with the same problem and it was almost always the ignition switch or the clutch switch... The ignition switch is the component you place your key into. It's not remote or anything like that. The only way to confirm the switch is to run a hot wire to the s terminal on the starter. If it turns over the problem is either the ignition switch, clutch switch or the wiring. There's a clutch switch on the clutch pedal shaft that connects the ignition switch to the starter. The reason for the clutch switch is to keep one from starting the car in gear. Your clutch switch could be bad or out of adjustment. Get down there and fiddle with the plunger while you hold the key on start.
If it starts the switch is out of adjustment. If it doesn't start by fiddling with the plunger you can jump the 2 wires and if it starts, the clutch switch is bad. The clutch switch is super easy to replace or you can just leave the jumper between the 2 wires. Check it out. I'm fairly certain your problem is the clutch switch. Let us know how it goes. Dave

Gman91

I got the car jacked up today and ran a jump wire from my positive to my starter and the power on the battery started sparking but the starter did not turn over. I am going to take it into the shop monday and have them pull the starter and bench test it. A buddy of mine that use to own a shop told me that ford starters are basically impossible to bench test cause they take so much to turn over but he hasnt worked on a ford car just old ford trucks.

Davescort97

Did you check out the clutch switch? No difference?