Starting problems

[Petr]

Today I started engine without problem, went by car round my neigboroughood. Than stopped and cleaned her because tomorrow´s show. OOp, couldn´t start engine. Battery is O.K., starter didn´t run and I´ve heard small noice (chattering ?). Inside on side of right fender like is relay is small box (cca 4"x4") from where I was listening  chattering, but engine didn´t want to work.
It´s a pitty, tomorrow we have US car show. I will have to take spare car (Silverado). Poor Eagle, we were looking forward whole year for this.
Please don´t you have any idea where could be a problem ? I cleaned all wires and contacts I found.

[MudPuppy]

Right fender well and chattering (or clicking), I'd say solenoid, which is a very cheap and easy replacement. Mine had the similar symptoms not too long ago, switch out solenoid and everything was fine.

[IowaEagle]

Get the one for an automatic transmission, Ford and Jeep used them too.  Make sure before you buy one to make sure your battery connections are good.  You can bypass that solenoid very easily to test it.  I use a pair of uninsulated plier handles and short them across the two big terminals on the solenoid.  If the starter spins, then the solenoid is probably bad.

[Petr]

As I gotta advice - tried to bridge relay - it didn´t work. I removed this box and upside down it looked like inside is "something" cast in resin. From this I can hear "clicking".

[IowaEagle]

If bridging the solenoid did not cause the starter to spin then you may have a weak batter, and/or dirty battery posts or terminals or a bad ground at the engine.  These cars do not really tolerate dirty terminals or posts very well.

[Petr]

Yes battery post and terminal was dirty (- ) (only this one, no +), I cleaned it. But with any result.

[Petr]

I also tried to start thru starting cabels from other car .

[IowaEagle]

What condition are the cables at the starter and the engine block?  Loose and or dirty connections will cause problems.  These Motorcraft starters really need everything tight and clean.   My Concord is really fussy about everything being as it should.

[Petr]

Probably I will have to make review of all conection in car. The last chance for tomorrow´s show - I put battery to a charger thru night. If Eagle will stay in nest anyway - you will get pics with Chevy - what to do, but as all years I want you coud see "Day of US cars in CZ".