hi guys! i am a complete novice when it comes to mustangs. i just bought a 1966 200cid automatic. i was driving it into my garage when i selected low gear, i dont think the shifter was in the right place (just below the "L" marking. when i hit the gas the car completely died and would not start again. i coult turn on the head lights. when i tried ignition there was a horrible noisebut engine would not turn over. any ideas? thanks! stephen

 

First off, Welcome to the Forums!

The gear you selected would have been okay for that, as you would have presumably been in 1st gear. When you are going up a grade or putting stress on the car, you need to ease in and out of the gas slowly so it wont stall. If your carb is in great shape and tuned correctly that will not be the case, but I am assuming yours is not. If you just ease in and out of the throttle when trying to get it up the driveway you should be good.

When you say "horrible noise" what exactly do you mean. If your battery does not have enough charge to turn the engine over, it will usually still be able to turn on the headlights, but when you turn the ignition the starter will struggle to turn it over, even though it doesnt have the power. That will sound pretty bad, but it wont the that loud, and you should not hear gears grinding or anything.

Try hooking it to another car that is turned on, have another person rev the engine in that car a little while you try jumping your stang. That will tell you if it is just a dead battery. However, dont try that if you suspect there is anything more wrong than just the battery.

If you give a little more info, we could prolly help you figure it all out better. Some pictures would be great too. We all love pics.

 

thanks for the welcome, and the reply! the car is in really good shape and has been cared for so im assuming the carb is fine. the horrible noise wasnt from the engine. it was like when u turn on the ignition and the engine fires but u still keep turning the key. like a rough noise sorry about bad description! it ran fine all day up until then, do u think its just the battery and it needs to be jumped is this a common issue with mustangs?

 

I have a I6 3 speed. I havent ever had this problem. Could be the battery or the starter. But i dont think it would be the starter. Ok another thing. Don't know if you did this, but make sure the tranny is in park.


If possible try to get a video or something that includes the sound you are talking about.

Also welcome to the forums!

 

sounds like the starter to me

 

BA made a good point. The car will not start if it is in drive, which you may have tried if it died in drive. I would try putting it in park and if it doesnt work then jump it. if jumping it doesnt work then maybe try filming the problem so we can hear it.

 

you have a weak battery the sound you heard was the starter relay/ soliniod chicking it does sound kind of load because you don't have the radio or anything else making a sound when it does it. You may also have a weak altnator also since thats what charges the battery. get it jump started and go to autozone or advance and have they check both the battery and altnator while they are sill on the car.

 

so after reading all the responses i think its just about time to throw your car away and get a new one


see if you can get us a video...it would help a lot