Why won't my car start???
Asked by KSMustang1997 Sep 14, 2015 at 04:22 PM about the 1997 Ford Mustang GT Coupe RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I drove to the bank no abnormal sounds. Came back outside and my 97
Mustang GT would not start. Had several people try to jump me with
cables and nothing. Replaced the batter with a brand new battery and still
nothing. Had car towed to my house. The oil was very low. Added 4
quarts of oil. Had my friend drag my car behind his truck until it jump
started. Drove car around for about 15 min. Turned the car off and on
twice. Waited a couple hours and drove the car to the gas station. The
next day I tried to start the car and nothing. The following day my friend
came back and dragged the car again. This time nothing. Not sure if it's
electrical or if the engine is seized. Can someone please help?
8 Answers
KSMustang1997 answered 8 years ago
I replaced the alternator about a year ago and the battery is brand new. It sounds like it wants to start but something is stopping it. I have a feeling it's not the motor I just don't know what it is.
If it were mine, I would check the electrical connections at the battery and the starter. These connections need to be clean and tight. It is always best to eliminate the easy stuff first.
The next time this happens, get it jumped and started. then take the neg. battery cable off. if the car stops running, then it's your alternator, it's not putting out enough volts, it's got to put out 13-14 volts to keep the car running and charge the battery at the same time....IT'S ONE OF THE OLDEST TRICKS, IN THE BOOK...hope this helps
KSMustang1997 HOPE YOU GOT IT RUNNING, THATS WHAT WE ALL LIKE TO HEAR, WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP ONE ANOTHER!!!!! COOL
Dont ever disconnect a battery cable with the engine running on an engine thats EFI equipped,like mentioned by another poster.If you do,the regulator sees that as total battery drain and it immediately commands the alternator to run at maximum output. In effect,the alternator is now in a “runaway” condition in which it can generate upwards of 140 volts! That’s enough voltage to fry your powertrain computer, your ABS computer, your radio, and every other computer in your car. It’s also enough to fry the guts of the alternator itself,so dont do it.If you're working on a pre 80's vehicle,without computer & modules,its a different story.
I had same issue all of a sudden wouldnt jump could crank it popping the clutch and it ran just fine. Bought nee starter new battery turns out that my positive battery cable was very corroted in the center where you couldnt see it replaced them cranks every time now
