1997 Tbird problem

My Mom has a 97 T-Bird V8. She drove it downtown and about 1/2 hour later went to leave. She turned the key but the car would not start. It All of the lights and radio works, but it wouldnt even try to crank over or anything. My Dad was there , who knows a lot about cars, and he made sure it was in park...they even tried neutral. The battery is full, and the gas tank is full...the starter was not ever showing any signs of wear. They had it towed to the Ford dealer, and it started right up for them...and they cannot find anything wrong with it now. Does anyone have any suggestions?? I don't want them to get stranded again!

Start with making sure all connections are clean. Battery posts, ground, at the starter, etc.

yeah its definately not the battery

It could be the neutral safetey switch acting up.

what exactly is the neutral switch and what does it do

If anyone could offer up any other ideas that would be much appreciated

The nuetral safety switch will not allow the car to start unless it is park or in nuetral. If it acts up again, move the shifter to nuetral and try to start it. Could also be your starter relay or you have a dead spot in your starter itself.

Well like I said in my original post, they tried starting it in neutral and park but it wouldnt do anything...not even a sound. I think you might be right about the starter relay. I will pass along the information...thanks! Feel free anyone to keep sending ideas too

I apologize about suggesting the nuetral starting thing. I've slept since I read your post and didn't remember that part. :)

my guess would be that there could be some corrosion on the starter solenoid terminals. i know you said there were no signs of wear, but you may wanna take them off, clean them, and re-connect them.

No problem, flewthcoupe...I just appreciate all of the input.

I will have the solenoid terminals checked right now

actually, i think the problem that you are haveing is the crank postion sensor. My car had the same problem, some times it just wouldnt start, sometimes for a few days at a time. fineally my brother and i narrowed it down to the CPS. the part is less than 20 bucks but it is a pain in the but to replace. you have to remoove the ac clutch, and then the sensor bolts to the block behind that. good luck.