84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over May 01, 2006, 09:56:07 PM I've got an 84 Thunderbird outback that has been covered for the past few years.It was ran last about 3 years ago or so (2002-03).I hooked up the battery, Then, Tryed to start it a couple times within an hour to see it showed any signs of life. It did, And tryed to turn over before it drained and died.Now at full battery charge, When i try and start it, the starter relay "Ticks" and the engine wont turn over.At first it was "Clicking" loudly and then draining to dead, But my dad moved the belt via the pulley and a large wrench, to make sure the belt wasnt sticking.So now when i try to start it, The starter relay just ticks away as the interior light dims, And the engine still wont turn over.i've checked the Inertia Switch, Banged on the relays a few times, And still won't turn.I hear the fuel pump... Faintly... I have yet to put gas in it, As we need to go pick up a can or 2 and fuel up.And also because my dad insists i do not need gas to have the engine turn over, is this true???He thinks it's that the starter is stuck...I'm really hoping this isn't the case.Any info or help appreciated, Thanks! Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #1 – May 02, 2006, 05:59:11 AM I would guess starter relay first, then the starter itself. My dads 78 van did the same thing, so finally we went to get the starter checked,and it came off in two peices! Rather interesting, but between two of the bolts cracked,and the peices fell into the flywheel, not letting it turn over.I have had this happen before, and it usally ends up being a bad battery. Try a jump start, if that dosent fix it, then the relay(around $10) and then try the starter. Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #2 – May 02, 2006, 11:13:16 AM Sounds more like your battery terminals are loose or dirty. None of that press em on and twist shiznit. Get a batter cleaning tool and go to work. Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #3 – May 03, 2006, 06:53:44 AM Starters what my dad thinks.I'll pick up a borg warner relay solenoid from shucks, and see if that helps anything.The battery is from about 2003, And only ever used to start the car a few times.I had both connections detached while it was sitting.The Battery Terminals are clean, And i've had the red and green felt things on since i bought the battery.Though,The Cable Terminals are originals, And the negative had about half an inch of corrosion stacked up on it when i uncovered it.I've since cleaned it, it looks ok corosion wise now, other than it's old and worn.Think the insulated wire might be corroded as well, And i can't see it?The battery light is now on in the instrument cluster, i Don't recall it being on before.Also, while i was cranking it before and it was Clicking rather than Ticking then Dying, the Negative terminal would start to smoke a bit. Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #4 – May 03, 2006, 10:23:00 AM yeah new cable thingy. Before it melts or something. Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #5 – May 03, 2006, 10:47:36 AM I just went out and pulled the negative cable, Only to find the terminal corroded again, already. And forgot anything i said about it looking fine, upon further inspection... It looks like shiznit.The corrosion went all the way up the (auxilliary)? cable from the negative, To a a ford disconnect on the wire harness.The entire inside of the disconnect is trashed, I had to break it to get it apart...Heres some pics:I would assume this is indeed the problem? Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #6 – May 03, 2006, 06:03:05 PM Is that one of those replacement cable ends that are supposed to be temporary?The small wire is the ground for the EEC. Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #7 – May 03, 2006, 07:42:40 PM Quote from: softtouchIs that one of those replacement cable ends that are supposed to be temporary?The small wire is the ground for the EEC.Not sure, That's how it came to me. :yuck:What about the interconnect on the small ground wire? Is that more than just a coupler?Im not finding any info on that. Quote Selected
84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over Reply #8 – May 05, 2006, 03:26:22 PM Yes the plug on the small wire is just a connector.The battery post connector should be molded on to the cable wire, not bolted on. Quote Selected
Topic: 84 3.8/V6 T-bird Won't Turn Over (Read 1168 times)
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