Car Wont Start
paribhakta
12-19-2005, 12:18 PM
My 1996 Contour wont start but the battery is okay because the radio is on. When I trun the key normally it would make a khrrrrr.... sound and the car would start but now it does not make any noise and it does not start. Any suggestions welcome.......
beyondloadedSE
12-19-2005, 12:34 PM
Sounds like the starter.
paribhakta
12-19-2005, 01:22 PM
how can that be fixed? also, there is some kind of soft ticking noise. I heard it when i got in the car. Its very very soft
beyondloadedSE
12-19-2005, 02:30 PM
how can that be fixed? also, there is some kind of soft ticking noise. I heard it when i got in the car. Its very very soft
Starter has to be replaced. I dont think there anyway to fix it, at least not cheaply. Ticking noise could be coming from the valvetrain. What motor do you have? That would give me a better idea.
Starter has to be replaced. I dont think there anyway to fix it, at least not cheaply. Ticking noise could be coming from the valvetrain. What motor do you have? That would give me a better idea.
paribhakta
12-19-2005, 02:32 PM
Starter has to be replaced. I dont think there anyway to fix it, at least not cheaply. Ticking noise could be coming from the valvetrain. What motor do you have? That would give me a better idea.
4 cylinder
4 cylinder
beyondloadedSE
12-19-2005, 04:44 PM
4 cylinder
ok, i doubt its anything serious then. Could be just the valvetrain ticking or an exhaust leak.
ok, i doubt its anything serious then. Could be just the valvetrain ticking or an exhaust leak.
pre98zetec
12-20-2005, 11:07 AM
the ticking is most likely the lifters, common problem when the zetec's get in the higher mileage. because the pre 98's have mechanical lifters
shorod
12-20-2005, 08:00 PM
how can that be fixed? also, there is some kind of soft ticking noise. I heard it when i got in the car. Its very very soft
It wouldn't be lifter tick if the car isn't starting. I'd suspect it is a relay that is opening and closing rapidly due to low battery voltage. The radio draws A LOT less current than a starter. With a good battery, you should be able to start the car with the headlights on. Try it, do the lights basically go out while you're trying to start the car? If so, make sure the battery cable connections are clean and tight. If so, check the battery on a load tester. Or, if you have a multimeter, put it across the battery and see what voltage you see while someone cranks the engine. If it's dropping below 10.5 volts or so while attempting to start the engine, replace the battery.
-Rod
It wouldn't be lifter tick if the car isn't starting. I'd suspect it is a relay that is opening and closing rapidly due to low battery voltage. The radio draws A LOT less current than a starter. With a good battery, you should be able to start the car with the headlights on. Try it, do the lights basically go out while you're trying to start the car? If so, make sure the battery cable connections are clean and tight. If so, check the battery on a load tester. Or, if you have a multimeter, put it across the battery and see what voltage you see while someone cranks the engine. If it's dropping below 10.5 volts or so while attempting to start the engine, replace the battery.
-Rod
pre98zetec
12-20-2005, 10:00 PM
he said he heard it when he got the car
shorod
12-21-2005, 09:45 PM
he said he heard it when he got the car
Actually, he typed that he heard it when he got IN the car.
:)
-Rod
Actually, he typed that he heard it when he got IN the car.
:)
-Rod
pre98zetec
12-21-2005, 10:07 PM
bah my mistake..
need to get my eyes checked.:D
need to get my eyes checked.:D
Loekee75
12-21-2005, 10:35 PM
I agree with shorod, about the relay ticking from low voltage.
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