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Topic: 96 Cougar won't start, Help needed (Read 2458 times) previous topic - next topic

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Hi everyone 1996 Cougar 4.6

Put it up on the ramps, Did the oil and filter.
Wen't to start it and back her off the ramps and no go.

Won't even turn over, (when turning the key)
I get clicking maybe more like chattering
from what I'd guess is a relay box behind pas. side headlight
right in front of air box

The dash lights blink when key is on and the tach jumps up an down
Radio and climate control do not light up

tried checking for codes and the reader blinks on and off right along with dash lights

cleaned battery posts, new terminals...
tested battery  Volt meter shows 12.79 volts

any ideas? This is driving me crazy ,,,,,,

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #1 –
did you accidently knock into something or unplug something while you were changing the oil?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #2 –
And make sure it's in neutral, or in park correctly.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #3 –
no on bumping anything
& went through all the gears
and also tried starting it in N.

same results

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #4 –
Where in PA are ya?  Not to sound like a dick but unless you banged or bumped something you shouldnt have the car should be ok.  Try this though, jump the solenoid with a screwdriver (big post to big post.  Car in park).  Your solenoid may have just decided to take a dump.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #5 –
ok but if this was a starter issue,
Why would dash lights flash, tach jump & radio and climate control no longer light?

The clicking more like a constant chatter I identified as the CCRM
What are the symptoms if it fails? I've searched and can't find anything

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #6 –
Check your battery cables and make sure they are making contact, esp. the pos cable.
My car will make the chattering sound when there isn't good contact to the solenoid.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #7 –
Quote from: daminc;317700
Check your battery cables and make sure they are making contact, esp. the pos cable.
My car will make the chattering sound when there isn't good contact to the solenoid.


What he said, or a solenoid gone tits up
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #8 –
Quote from: joepenn;317699
ok but if this was a starter issue,
Why would dash lights flash, tach jump & radio and climate control no longer light?

The clicking more like a constant chatter I identified as the CCRM
What are the symptoms if it fails? I've searched and can't find anything


what you say here would make me think loose/bad battery terminal connection, that or the battery was drained too much to start it.
tighten up the terminals, charge/jump the battery and try again.
"Beating the hell out of other peoples cars since 1999"
1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo Convertible
2015 Ford Focus SE 1.0 EcoBoost
 

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #9 –
make sure there isnt any corrosion on the battery terminals.  to me it sounds like a connection/ battery voltage issue

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #10 –
test to see where you have power. It is probably either the starter solenoid, or a wire coming off of it. I would also check your fuseable links, if they have those on those cars...
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

96 Cougar won't start, Help needed

Reply #11 –
sounds to me the car is on such an incline that the oil level sensor in the pan is setting at a  point it is preventing start.  The computer thinks your too low on oil.

Put it in N then push it off the ramps, then try to start.

It went on the ramps no problem, this has to be something simple.

The battery worked fine before, you shouldnt have to include it in as a probable fault now.

As for the solenoid, they give no warning when they are bad