01 Grand Marquis, 220,000 miles
Earlier this week the car would not turn over, it would not even click. So I replaced the ignition lock switch. The parts store told me I might need to tow because the key would need to be programmed. It was getting some front-end work anyway so, I just had to tow it to our local mechanic. Today he called and said even with the key programmed the car still will not turn over. He mentioned a starter. But I thought when they went out you would hear a grinding or whizzing sound. Thoughts?
Have someone hold the key in the start position and tap the starter with a hammer. If it cranks, your starter is bad. If it doesn't, check all connections at the battery, load test it and follow the circuit from the switch to see if current is getting to the starter at all. A "real" mechanic should have no problem diagnosing this problem.
It was the starter. Thanks for the help!!!
Thanks for reporting back with the fix.
But I thought when they went out you would hear a grinding or whizzing sound.
Not necessarily. Like anything else they can die suddenly. Starters are pretty easy to test, so he should be able to confirm whether it's bad or not.
Just went through a no-crank sutuation this afternoon on one of my own vehicles, but starter tested good (cranked with direct battery connection) and it turned out to be just a bad battery connection on the solenoid. Cleaned up the connections and it's fine. I'm not a mechanic and I had it figured out and fixed in about 10 minutes. A professional mechanic should have no problem diagnosing your starter.
I noticed last week I had to at times turn the key forward more before it would engage. So that could have been the starter going out possibly?
That sounds more like the ignition switch.
I replaced that first. And had to have it towed so it could be programmed
The issue with your car is that the computer key has to be working to operate the starter. I don't have to worry about any of that that on mine. However, your starter can still be tested on its own to see if it's working. The mechanic can hot-wire it and see if it cranks the engine over. If the starter itself tests OK then the fault is in the electronics.