96 Taurus slow cranking

[bukuballs]

I have a 96 Taurus which is acting as if my battery is weak during the starting process. It starts to turn over and stops than "click" nothing .. Have tried jumping it, charging the battery over night, and also tried a brand new battery as well. I have cleaned all the connections and still the same result. Starts to crank...stops...than click. Have heard some clicking and a buzz coming from the CCRM and was wondering if this module may have anything to do with the starting problem im experiencing? Thanks for your help.

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

Does the starter crank over the engine quickly, or is it dragging up to the point that it stops spinning the engine? If you were to keep a door open and watch the interior lights while cranking the engine, do they dim while cranking then get brighter or dimmer when it stops cranking?

-Rod

[bukuballs]

First let me say Thank You for your knowledge and time spent helping all of us in need. Its a truly generous thing you do. And Id also like to say Why the heck did it take me so long to find this website and forum. (dummy) Thanks to all who create and support this site. And especially for the incredibly fast response to my post.

This is what i have done since i posted.. Removed the batt and cables, cleaned both ends and connections and re tightened, tested the battery cells with a hygrometer. all cells were at least reading 1245 to 1265. The battery had a full charge measuring 12.85 with no indication of a voltage drain in system. The starter was replaced about 3 years ago. Now to the issue at hand. In response to your questions. I would say that the engine cranks over slower than a snail and only about 1/2 a turn than stops. a second turn of the key results in a click. On the first turn of the key the battery voltage dropped from 12.85 to just over 12.00. The lights seemed to stay about the same brightness during the crank over as well as after i turned the key off.. but they seemed to be flashing or flickering. I than hooked up my charger to the battery and tried again with the volt meter reading 14+ at the battery. Result = a slightly longer turn over but still nothing.. My guess is the starter has taken a vacation and taken the solonoid with him for company, since they seemed to be attached at the hip. So what do you reckon my friend? Again many thanks to you all.

Steve

[plymouthsrock]

Sounds about right, but I would check that you are getting battery voltage at the solenoid signal wire when the key is turned, and that you indeed have battery voltage at the heavy lead, and your engine ground is good also.

[shorod]

I think you're on the right track with the starter. If the engine were seized up (either bearing issues or cylinders full of fuel or coolant) you would get quite a drop in system voltage when the starter stopped turning over the engine. You are not getting that. Also, low voltage/poor connections would often result in a rapid series of starter relay clicks rather than just a single click.

Good luck, and please post back with the findings.

-Rod

[bukuballs]

Well just wanted to update you guys on the final results now that Ive had a chance to finish the project. Just as my gut instinct and your educated guesses told us, it was as simple as changing the starter. Actually I had done the starter a couple years back which is why I didn't want to suspect it. Got my lifetime replacement free from Kragens and there she was. Turned over like a racehorse. So thanks for your input and guidence. Ill return to visit this forum again, now that I know it exists.

Good Day Gents

Steve

[autotech234]

I have seen this alot, due to oil pan gasket leaking on starter. If this is the case on yours you will be putting in many more starter. Make sure you fix the root of the problem