'97 Escort-won't start-not battery-won't turn over

[HelpSingleFemale]

Help! Tried to start car this morning and it wouldn't turn over. Battery fine. Is there a fuse that would cause this?

[Davescort97]

Do you have power to other things such as lights, heater blower fan or dash lights when you turn the key on, but don't start the car. I
think you need to clean and sand paper the battery posts and cables attaching to them. Use some baking soda on a wet toothbrush and rinse with water. The next thing it could be is a bad connection at the starter. Starters run forever on 97 Escorts. I have one with 140,000 miles and it starts up great. Check those battery terminals and clean them. If this doesn't solve your problem, turn on your headlights at night and try to start the car. If the lights go real dim and stay dim when you turn on the starter it is most likely the starter. Your best bet is to call an independent car repair place, tell them what it is doing and ask how much it will cost to replace the starter. Call several places and you can compare prices.

[Jet-Lee]

I got a couple buddies that live in Joplin. Want me to see if I can send one your way to help you out? I'm in Springdale, AR. A short drive south of you.

[AzTumbleweed]

Just curious, how do you know the battery is good?

Do what Davescort97 said and clean the battery terminals and clamps. They make a little brush designed for that for a buck or two. Rememeber to clean the inside part of the clamp. The part that touches the battery posts. A bad neutral safety switch will also cause this.