Drummer

Have a 1994 GT Mustang. The car HAD a 3.8 liter but had a 5.0 put in before my daughter bought it. I am scratching my head trying to figure out why this thing won't charge the battery. Took the battery out and had it tested and it tested O.K.. The battery is less than 6 months old. Put it back in and took the car to have the alternator checked and it checked good. Got home and the car just clicked like the battery was freakin dead. Checked all the grounds that I could find and all seemed to be O.K.. Did the obvious things like make sure all connections were clean and the battery cables were tight and checked every fuse in the engine compartment and they are all good. I am stumped as to why this thing won't charge! No check engine light or alternator light coming on although the airbag light comes on in a non rhythmic or steady pace. I don't know what to do and I can't afford a mechanic. HELP!!

Tony71502

Check the starter/solenoid.

Drummer

Where's that?

Tony71502

Starter is bolted to the engine on the passenger side right where the transmission and engine meet.

The starter solenoid on my car is located on the driver's side strut tower. I'm not sure where yours is considering a lot of the car has been changed.

You should be able to find it by following the positive battery cable.

mattdel

a 94 mustang SHOULD have a starter-mounted solenoid, but since it's a swap job, it might not.

im_stuck_in_iraq

Starter prob

Drummer

Well, I checked and yes the starter sylenoid is on the starter. I just charged the battery and the car started but that didn't last long. CLICK-CLICK... Pulled the battery out of my R/T Dakota and hooked it up. Drove around in the Stang for a bit with lights and heat and wipers on. Parked the car and it started right up no problem. Let it sit for a while and went back out and it started right up again with no issues. Oddly enough I had the battery checked at Autozone and they said the battery in the Mustang was O.K..I took the battery back to Napa and exchanged it for a new one. No issues yet. Not sure whats with Autozones battery checker. Gonna give the new battery a couple of days to make sure. WTF.....?

mrcoordination

the batteries starting capacity could be getting low. i've seen that before, people come in complaining about the battery but its ok. your new battery should not have this issue. if it does check for parasitic drain

Derf00

Has the starting issue always been a problem or did it just start?

A battery can test 'ok' but not have enough juice to crank the car its in.

What are the CCA ratings for the Autozone battery, your truck battery, and the new napa battery?

The car (and starter) is not stock therefore the stock battery may be insufficient.

jthorn9

If the starter has checked out you likely have a short or a grounding issue somewhere causing the battery to drain out.