Car Wont Start

[paribhakta]

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]

Sounds like the starter.

[paribhakta]

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]

Originally Posted by paribhakta

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.

[paribhakta]

Originally Posted by beyondloadedSE

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

[beyondloadedSE]

Originally Posted by paribhakta

4 cylinder

ok, i doubt its anything serious then. Could be just the valvetrain ticking or an exhaust leak.

[pre98zetec]

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]

Originally Posted by paribhakta

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

[pre98zetec]

he said he heard it when he got the car

[shorod]

Originally Posted by sk8ter_in_ny

he said he heard it when he got the car

Actually, he typed that he heard it when he got IN the car.



-Rod

[pre98zetec]

bah my mistake..

need to get my eyes checked.

[Loekee75]

I agree with shorod, about the relay ticking from low voltage.