Can't Start!
 

Hey, everyone. Been awhile since I've posted here, but my little 6-banger is starting to rob me over! Over the past few months, I've noticed that it, at times, has had troubles starting. I can put in the key, turn it, hear all the appropriate noises before trying to crank. All lights come on on the inside, stereo, AC, etc. Then when I go to start it.. it cranks once, makes another crank nice, and stops. It won't fully turn over. Now, at first, I thought that this was part of being winter. No problem. But then, as it started becoming more and more frequent, I started noticing things. Firstly, if I try to crank it after the car has been completely shut down for over.. about 30 mins to an hour, it will make the hard-cranking noises at first, but will still start up and run. If I am driving however, and stop to get gas, the 5 minutes or less that it's off, I'll try to start it back up, and it will do the crank-no-start. At first, I thought maybe my amp and accessories were pulling too much from the battery, so I turned everything off during one test, and pulled the fuse for the amp so it wouldn't connect to the battery. Same results. I then tried to troubleshoot online, and I tried to do some suggestions they had (I'm abit poor right now, so I couldn't just take it in to a shop). I turned the headlights on while trying to start it. During crank (this is after running it for awhile, then shutting it down for a few minutes), the headlights dimmed, then went completely off until I released the key after it wouldn't start. After several jumps from people around town, someone looked through my battery window and said that it looks like it may be time to have it serviced. Now, I have a 2000 'stang, and as far as I can tell, the battery may still be the original.. it's a Motorcraft BXT-59-540. I just bought this in September, so I figure the battery would've been replaced after around 6-7 year period, but it looks like it may not be. Also may be important to note that during jump, the car starts and runs like a champ, no hesitation in crank or anything like it does EVERY OTHER time I try to start it.

Any help, please?!

RE: Can't Start!
 

Yeah it sounds like a battery issue. Your charging system seems to be fine, other wise your battery light would come on while driving and the voltage would drop. If you're broke, go to walmart and get a "N"Everstart for cheap. I would recommend an Optima, but seeing as how they just had a gigantic price increase, that's a very tough pill to swallow on a budget. I think they're in the high $250-285 range now.

Ryan

RE: Can't Start!
 

Either the battery is taking a crap or your altenator isn't charging it (or over charging). If you have a volt meter connect it to the battery terminals. It should read 12+ volts. Now start the engine and it should read at least 13.5 volts but under 15v. That will tell you if it's the battery or alt.

RE: Can't Start!
 

I appreciate the quick responses! May be good to note again that I'm on something of a budget. I get an advance pay on Tuesday or so for about $200... either way, the battery needs to be replaced, and that's for sure. It's getting to the age where if this isn't the problem, it will be soon. How much for a low-ender that'll still keep the cold-crank amps to get me through the winter here in TX? This one is 540, and didn't have much of a problem with it before.. I'm jsuit not finding many battery prices online for some reason. Either way, how much will it cost to get the battery/starter/alt checked, you think? At say Walmart?

RE: Can't Start!
 

If you have a Costco near by check with them. They have some good prices and warranties. They also have a chart to look up your car so you get the right battery.

RE: Can't Start!
 

if you have an interstate batteries store near you they sell "blemished" batteries for like 37 bucks, and its just a battery with a physical scratch on it... they still work great, and they wont leak, its just got a physical imperfection on it. there is one in my home town and i have ALWAYS gotten batteries from them. good luck

RE: Can't Start!
 

it wont cost you over $50 or $60 be sure to take your old battery with you so you can get your core charge money back