I got my 86 2.3 mustang out for the summer last month ,when I first turned it on it made a cranking noise so I thought it was a belt and tryed to turn it off using the key and it would not shut off I had to pop the clutch to get the engine to shut off ,then I restart it and its fine ,this has happened like 5 more times the same thing ,I checked the belts are all tight ,seems to happen more when the car is not warmed up ,I thought maybee the carburator was sticking but the engine is not racing and the RPms are the same when it happens ,I think it might be the starter but would a starter keep cranking like that even after you let go of the key? Then I cant shut the engine off I have to pop the clutch ,then yesterday it was started and shut off 5 times and nuthing happend ,do I have a defective starter ? what do you guys think ? thanks tj
Most likely the starter relay is sticking. I would replace it first. If that does not fix it, check the starter. Next, make sure the ignition switch is returning to the run position. It could be out of adjustment, so that when the key returns to run, there is still contact in the start position. Should be one of those.
Is the relay on the side of the starter ? If I went to the auto store and got a rebuilt starter would that replace both the starter and the relay ? Iv never done a relay before
The starter relay should be on the inner fender. On my 79 and 82 5.0 cars is it next to the battery on the pass fender. I think on the 89 2.3 it is on the drivers fender, to the rear of the battery. I will have to check it to be sure. I believe the bat pos cable goes directly from the positive post to the relay. Most people also call this the starter solenoid, but it technically is a relay.
I replaced the relay and nothing happend for a week then this morning it did it again ,it seems to happen when it sits overnight for some reason ,I think if its the starter it would do it every time I start it right? Iv had starters die before but never keep running like this ,So then maybee the ignition switch is not returning to the run position? How do I tell ? can this be adjusted ? The rest of the car is running really good
Yes, the ignition switch can be adjusted. It is on top of the steering column, down under the dash. Drop the column to get to it. It has two bolts, and is slotted. When installed, it has to be adjusted so that the lock and actuating rod positions coincide with the actual switch positions. I would try this next.
Out of curiosity, where did you go to get a Ford starter solenoid that they had to order? We're all talking about the black round thing with metal mounting tabs and has terminals that have the battery pos. wire hooked to one and the starter lead to the other right?
None of the local auto stores had the starter relay in stock so I had to order it from advance auto parts
