so i went to start my mustang today to let it run for the first time in a while...connected the battery and wen i turned the key, all i heard was the solenoid make a fast clicking sound and then wen i walked over to the engine bay it kinda smelled like rotten eggs...i then left the key turned on and tried starting the car straight from the solenoid with needle nose pliers and the same thing happened, and it even made a spark at the battery terminal along with that rotten egg smell. i actually felt the solenoid vibrate through the pliers and i can hear it clicking...is this a solenoid problem? or could i just need a new starter?

thanks,

Chris

 

Did you try jumping? Sounds like low voltage. I would check voltage and grounds first.

 

Could be battery, cables, solenoid, or starter.

The rotten egg smell (sulphuric acid) will lead me to think you may be looking at a battery issue, possibly an internally shorted battery, but the law of STATISTICS says the problem is with the cables.

Might want to disconnect the battery, fully charge it with a 2 to 4 amp charger over night, and then hook it back up. Do a through inspection of all of the cables paying particular attention to the terminals AND connections on each end of ALL of the cables. Look for corrosion and loose terminal eyes.

If you still have issues have the battery load tested and go from there.

The good thing about these classic Fords is that if you shop well, you can change out BOTH the starter and the solenoid for about $50, this point will tell you where I would go after checking over the cables and battery.

 

What you might do , is get a new battery. soleinoid , and a voltage regulator. if you dont start the car very offten you might think about getting a battery tender to keep your battery maintained ,for longer battery life

 

I had that same problem minus the egg smell, it ended up my battery was at the end of its life. Jumping didn't work since battery crapped out, new battery problem solved. I tested with a friends battery before i went to buy a new one to make sure.

 

Once you are SURE that you have a hot battery, simply use a Digital DC Voltmeter to measure the voltage across each link in the circuit chain. Wherever you have more than a fraction of a Volt, that is your weak link. Example: If you measure 2 Volts between the battery post and the starter solenoid, then that is your high resistance. If the voltage drop is across the solenoid with someone turning the key to the start position, then the solenoid is the problem.

The only point in the circuit where you should have a large voltage drop is the starter itself, at least 9 volts across it.

Don't start buying a bunch of parts and throwing at the problem. If you're not comfortable doing a voltage drop test, take it to your local auto electric shop and they can troubleshoot it in five minutes. Even if they have to come to you, it will be cheaper than going down the road of blindly replacing parts.

 

well. if you can smell the internals of a battery, then either the battery is up the bringk, or you have a massive short. I'd replace the battery with a good one from a good known car. just temporary. once that's doen and the issue is the same (jumping selonoid) I'd check for ground issue. check the connector at the starter itself. maybe it's touching the starter casing which would cause a huge short.

 

In my experience, the first thing to suspect with a fast clicking solenoid is a weak or dying battery. Recharge it or try jumping it. Fortunately, replacing the battery is usually the easiest and cheapest fix.