Resolved 1991 vert, 5.0, auto won't even turn over

[cwthompson2000]

Acts like there is no battery for starting. Everything elect. works but won't start. No turn over and no click. New battery 6 months ago and shows a good charge. Have had it on a batt. tender.
Any suggestions appreciated. I'm used to the older stuff where I could find the solenoid and starter easy.
Chuck

 

[limp]

Check the easy stuff first.... Are you in park or neutral?
Assuming original battery cables? They are probably corroded on the inside...This seems to be a common malady on here....
Can you turn over the engine manually as in using a breaker bar on the front pulley?

 

[KRUISR]

Try jumping power from battery positive to starter solenoid trigger post (small one with one small wire on it). Make sure you are in park. This should crank the engine whether the key is on or not. If it doesn't crank you probably have a bad starter solenoid.

Also want to check the ground wires to battery and from engine to chassis. Its a place to start.

 

[General karthief]

There is a 'no crank checklist ' around here somewhere let me look around, be right back
here it is:

No Crank Checklist

No Crank checklist for 5.0 Mustangs Revised 24-Oct-2013 to update voltage drop figures. No crank, slow crank and stuck starter solenoid problems have the same root causes – low battery voltage and poor connections. For that reason, they are...

stangnet.com

 

[Opal GT]

Does it have an alarm system? On mine you have to press the unlock button on the keyless FOB to disable the alarm and allow it to crank.

 

[cwthompson2000]

Tried it in park and neutral. Terminals are clean and making good contact. Batt. reads good on my tester and the voltage reads 13.3 volts...

 

[Opal GT]

Try what KRUISR said... your relay is under the plastic cover with the vacuum diagram on it near the battery.

 

[nickyb]

You know the ignition switches suck on these, check on the column to see if it's coming apart.

 

[cwthompson2000]

I'll try jumping direct to the solenoid tomorrow. That makes sense.
Thanks, I'll let you know what happens..
Chuck

 

[Jarhead67]

Acts like there is no battery for starting. Everything elect. works but won't start. No turn over and no click. New battery 6 months ago and shows a good charge. Have had it on a batt. tender.
Any suggestions appreciated. I'm used to the older stuff where I could find the solenoid and starter easy.
Chuck

Use a

Acts like there is no battery for starting. Everything elect. works but won't start. No turn over and no click. New battery 6 months ago and shows a good charge. Have had it on a batt. tender.
Any suggestions appreciated. I'm used to the older stuff where I could find the solenoid and starter easy.
Chuck

if jumping the starter solenoid doesn’t work, use a test light on the solenoid signal wire and see if it’s getting power from the ignition switch.

 

[cwthompson2000]

Sorry for the late update. It was the solenoid, replaced it and it starts like a champ.
Thanks for all the advice!!
Chuck

 

[General karthief]

We (at least I would) would like an explanation of how you came to this solution, pics of damaged, worn, blow'd up parts along with captivating narration is a plus and can win discounts for yearly dues on memberships here (not really).
I mention this cause I can't count how many times I've found starting issues came down to loose, old wire and dirty connections, also slow crank and long cranking times will kill old wires, starters.
I could tell you stories.
I guess that makes me 'old'

 

[cwthompson2000]

Didn't take any pics to post. Figuring it had to be the solenoid I just went and bought a new one. Cleaned all the connectors before installing the new one. Everything went in fairly easy.
Chuck

 

[Noobz347]

also slow crank and long cranking times will kill old wires, starters.
I could tell you stories.

Particularly if the starter is you.