[Antec360]

'92 Mustang LX 4c 2.3

Ok, two issues here. First is sometimes when I go to turn on the engine all the lights will dim out and the starter will not turn over, and all you hear is this really quiet grinding noise. If I leave the key in the on position the engine will turn on after a few seconds but my RPM will be very low, about 500. I already know I have to replace the starter because it stays on way too long after the engine starts, so I am going to have it rebuilt. Found a mech here that will do it for $60 so I figure I might as well, But I was wondering what else could be causing this.

I am also going to be changing the Battery because it is pretty fried and old.

My second issue is that I came to a red light the other night and as I was sitting there the engine died and I lost all power. The engine wouldn't start at all and none of my lights including the hazards would work. After about 30-40 secs I was able to start the engine again and I was on my way. I am wondering if these two issues are connected because I stopped for gas and then the engine wouldn't start, had the same issue as mentioned above.

Any insight or advice would be great on these issues.

Thank You

[MustDangRider]

I had a similar problem with my 8cylinder, it turned out to be a ground on battery. THe negative terminal had corroded and was playing games with my engine. Also this just happened with my dads '02 F-150 except in less of an extreme case. Follow the positive and negative wires back to the block and make sure theyre both in good condition, if so sams club has a batt. charger/ reconditioner/ alt. checker for $60. It works. Test the batt if its no good buy a new one...

[Antec360]

Thanks for the fast reply. I was planning on replacing the batt anyways due to it hardly holding a charge and it being so old and fried looking. I will check out the wiring tomorrow. And if need be I will change out the wiring as well. The last owner of this car took very poor care of it, he drove it around without coolant and with barley any a/c alt belt left plus the plugs on it were is horrible condition, and the sending unit is broken so it's leaking gas out of the return line.

But I am wondering if it could just be the batt or anything else I should look at aswell.

[05horse]

Originally Posted by Antec360

Thanks for the fast reply. I was planning on replacing the batt anyways due to it hardly holding a charge and it being so old and fried looking. I will check out the wiring tomorrow. And if need be I will change out the wiring as well. The last owner of this car took very poor care of it, he drove it around without coolant and with barley any a/c alt belt left plus the plugs on it were is horrible condition, and the sending unit is broken so it's leaking gas out of the return line.

But I am wondering if it could just be the batt or anything else I should look at aswell.

while your in there, just for poops n giggles. might have the alt checked?

[Antec360]

Tested the alt already. Started the engine and then disconnected the batt and everything ran fine. Left it like that for 5 mins and then reconnected everything. Thought the alt might be to blame for the always low batt so we tested it and it works fine.

[billthecougnut]

I'd bark up the ground wire, or battery cable tree if I were you.

[Antec360]

Ya, going to take it apart tomorrow and check the casing on the wires to make sure everything is intact...If not I will replace it...Thinking of replacing all the wiring anyways to a higher gauge and uping the alt so that I can run some better sub's/amp's in my car...not to sure though...going to take it down to this little shop here, all they do is car/marine audio...will give me a better idea on whats wrong once I rip out the wiring tomorrow...will update on the wiring issue tomorrow.

[Antec360]

I went out to start my car to run to the store and i had the same issue it wouldn't start, and then I heard this pop and now I have no power at all, not even to my interior lights.

[05horse]

Originally Posted by Antec360

I went out to start my car to run to the store and i had the same issue it wouldn't start, and then I heard this pop and now I have no power at all, not even to my interior lights.

check all your fuses and relays

[Antec360]

Ok, I checked all the wiring and turns out that the batt post was shorting out on the connector. Took it off and sanded it down and it seems to have solved the issue, so again thanks for all the help on this guys. I still will be getting the starter rebuilt though before it completely dies on me lol.