2000 Mustang 3.8L V6 won't start-not the battery or starter
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2000 Mustang 3.8L V6 won't start-not the battery or starter
HI! I have a 2000 mustang 3.8L V6 that won't start. I am not sure what is wrong. We tested the battery and starter, and both checked out fine. When it first wouldn't start, I turned the key in the ignition, it would make a click sound, and then everything died (no lights, no power locks, windows wouldn't go down, clock off, no radio, etc). My husband fixed the battery cables, and all of that fixed itself. Now when you turn the key, it makes the sound like its going to start but won't turn all the way over. I replaced the fuel pump a year ago, and the spark plugs...I have no clue why it won't turn all the way over. HELP!! I miss my car!
HI
It sounds to me like a dead battery. You need to perform a load test on the battery. you may have 12 volts comming out but not enough amperage to turn the starteer. if the battery terminals were dirty chances are the battery was not getting a charge from the alternator. Charge the battery or buy a new one. the clicking sound you heard was the starter solonoid clicking in and out because of the dead battery. Now that you cleaned the terminals, you have SOME more current flowing through the circuit but not enough to power the starter to start the car. either charge the battery or if its old, buy a new one.
We did do a load bearing test on the battery and fully charged it. We took it to Advanced Auto parts and had it checked out. Its only 7 months old. Its all good...car still won't start.
If you had the starter tested and it tested ok, we can eliminate that. Be sure to check the cable at the starter for tightness. they have a tendency of loosening up. Have you been going through or adding coolant to the radiator recently? If so, you may have what we call HYDROSTATIC LOCK. If you have a bad head gasget, coolant may have leaked into a cylinder and with the valves closed, when the piston comes up it cant compress water and the piston never reaches top dead center not allowing the engine to turn. If your sure the starter is ok, remove the spark plugs one at a time and examine them. if you have water in a cylinder, the plug will look very clean when removed and the tip of the plug may have a light tint of whatever color the anti freeze is. With the plugs removed, you should be able to get the engine to turn because you will have releaved the hydrostatic lock. try to check and see what cylinder has the water in it. The 3.8 engines were known to have head gasget problems. Hope this helps