1995 Tbird Won't Crank, Just Clicks

[confusedperson]

My 1995 4.6 T-bird won't start anymore. When I turn on the ignition I could hear a click coming from inside the engine close to one of the headlights. I took my battery to have it checked and they said it was ok. I cleaned the metal contacts of the battery and it still wouldn't do much other than a click. The car does have plenty of gas so it's not that.

Also, I was wondering if someone could help me by describing where the starter is located, perhaps I can buy one and replace it to see if that's the problem.

[~manuel~]

Originally Posted by confusedperson

My 1995 4.6 T-bird won't start anymore. When I turn on the ignition I could hear a click coming from inside the engine close to one of the headlights. I took my battery to have it checked and they said it was ok. I cleaned the metal contacts of the battery and it still wouldn't do much other than a click. The car does have plenty of gas so it's not that.

Also, I was wondering if someone could help me by describing where the starter is located, perhaps I can buy one and replace it to see if that's the problem.

you might want to consider purchasing a haynes manual as they are full of pictures. i suspect that clicking noise you hear is the fender mounted starter relay that is engaging. it definitely sounds like a starter issue to me. when you locate the starter, perhaps you can give it a few motivational taps with a hammer, and see if it'll operate then. if so, you have just diagnosed the problem!

[confusedperson]

I do have a Haynes and a Chilton manual, but neither tell me where the starter is located, however they do show pictures of how it looks but not enough to know where it is. If someone could tell me the general location, I'd be able to troubleshoot it. Thank you.

[overl0rd]

Under hood, passenger side, lower engine area.

[intrcptrbird]

I have never seen a starter that is NOT located next to the engine or trasmission and is able to directly egage the flywheel. That is how starters work. They are ALWAYS right next to the flywheel and engage the flywheel to start the engine. Unless there is some crazy setup that I havent seen before and isnt all the hype then that is where it is. ALWAYS!

[confusedperson]

Thank you guys so much! I just bought the starter, came out to $140, hopefully that's the problem. I'm going to troubleshoot it now. I'll let you guys know if that's it.

[97Bird]

I hope your problem is with the starter and not the battery cable going to it. Before you install the new starter have your old one tested. A lot of places won't let you return electrical parts and $140 is hard to loose! If the original starter is alright and you haven't taken the new one out of the box they may let you return it. Don't get any grease on it or scratch it by trying to install it before you test the old one!

[Ford lover 88]

its on passenger side right by tranny behind the front wheel they can be hard to find but its there