Suddenly Won't Start

[El Matador]

This problem is occurring in my Concord but could just as easily be in an Eagle.

Car has been running fine recently, no problems.  Tonight I attempted to start it, and got nothin'.

Everything functions normally until I turn the ignition to the start position.  Insert the key, buzzer comes on loud as ever.  Turn to accessory, dash lights come on as usual.  Try to start car, I hear a single *click* and everything dies.  No buzzers, lights, nothing.  Complete electrical cardiac arrest.  If I release the ignition and wait 10 seconds, all of the lights and everything come back to normal.

The battery is fine, it's the one out of my Eagle and it starts that car effortlessly.  I tried it in the Eagle again after the Concord episode just to be sure.  I replaced the starter solenoid first, then ignition module (although both with used units so possible faulty replacements) and got no further ahead.

My next step is to replace the starter.  I'm thinking it may have seized up somehow and is causing excessive current draw when an attempt is made to crank it.  Any other ideas out there?

[thereverendbill]

check the ground cable comming off the batt.  Sounds just like my wagon until I replaced the ground cable

[Sunny]

Definitely sounds like it's grounding out.

[Eagleearl]

Sounds like a bad connection  or ground on battery cables or?

[Bird-o-Prey]

I just went through this my Eagle.  I was about to drop $100 fro a new battery after spending $110 for a new altenator.  The car would start and after a while the altmeter would start bouncing around.  Then I would turn the car off and when I tried to restart it, I would get the dash lights and the buzzer, one or two clicks from the starter then nothin at all!!  I cleaned the battery connections with a $6 terminal cleaner from Canadian tire and the car works like a dream now.  I didn't need a new battery (which they tested for free and told me it was still 100%), nor did I probably need to buy a new altenator!  If you have had the battery in and out of the car a few times (like I did with the altenator replacement) then simply try and clean the battery posts and cables and see where that takes you.  A $6 terminal cleaner is a cheap way to start the diagnostic and may solve your problem!

Cheers

[El Matador]

So... we have four votes for bad connection and/or cable on the battery.  I guess that will be my next step.  I've had a new set of battery cables sitting here waiting to go in for ages now, just never got around to it. 

I'm just glad this problem presented itself while the car was at home in the garage.

[Whuntmore]

I would have come and gotcha!

I would try that ground wire first.   If that's done, ya look at the starter.    Make sure your terminals are clean.

[dkoug]

Could also be the grounding wire/strap.  My 51 ford flat head would start perfectly until engine is hot and on restart the increased resistance in the ground wire would not allow sufficient juice to do the job.

Yes sounds like a grounding problem.

dkoug

[rollguy]

So... we have four votes for bad connection and/or cable on the battery. 

Add mine for 5

[El Matador]

It's all good!

You guys were all right on the money.  I replaced both battery cables, cleaned both battery terminals, and also cleaned the area on the engine block where the ground cable bolts on.  I also cleaned the bolt itself for added measure, since a lot of oil had been coating that whole area.

The car now starts up just as easily as before.  Now I'm just going to put the original starter solenoid and ignition module back in.  They looked much cleaner than the units with which I replaced them.

[Whuntmore]

So... we have four votes for bad connection and/or cable on the battery. 

Add mine for 5

You're vote 7, I'm vote 5.     

[rollguy]

You're vote 7, I'm vote 5.     

Must be that "new math" I am using.

[thereverendbill]

You're vote 7, I'm vote 5.     

Must be that "new math" I am using.

I'd chalk it up to your brain resting for the big trip coming up