My car was just fine then all of a sudden it wouldn't start. It doesn't even crank. I had started the car twice within 10 minutes but when I tried again there was nothing; like something came loose somewhere. It won't crank or even make a click. The battery is fully charged & the alternator is new. The automatic gear shift has been loose so I checked it out & sure enough, one of the bolts had come loose at some point in the last 3-4 months. Could that have something to do with it not starting. It's like there's no power at all from the battery to the starter.

25

Asked by Bev Sep 07, 2017 at 10:27 PM about the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis 4 Dr LS Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

16 Answers

100

Well the transmission has a switch that wont allow the car to start if the car is not fully engaged in park. So that could be part of the issue, since you had loose parts in the shift linkage.

2 people found this helpful.
25

I thought about that but whatever it is it's affecting the lights & everything...door locks and power windows & seats won't work. Light inside vehicle is dim. Just nothing is working. The last two-three weeks I've noticed a clicking noise coming from the lower dash area when I'm backing up. It only happened when it was in reverse. Yesterday I left home but forgot something & went back then I left again but had to go back home to get something else. When I went out to leave again is when everything was dead. I'm sorry. I should have been more clear in my other description.

2 people found this helpful.
100

Check battery posts, are not loose, and grounds to body., engine. Try checking all the fuses, if you have volt meter, just check voltage at each fuse both sides. to good ground. So when on ignition switch is on Acc, the stuff seats and windows doesn't work ?

2 people found this helpful.
25

That's right. Nothing works when switch is on Acc. The open door bell rings (not as loud as usual) but when I continue to turn the key, the bell stops. I haven't turned the headlights on yet to see if they work but I've checked most of the fuses and the battery with a volt meter. I still have a few fuses in the box with the relays to check. I haven't checked voltage to the starter yet either. It got dark & I can't get my car in the garage.

100

Try the turning on the Head Lights, If dim try a jump start.

1 people found this helpful.
25

Now this is really strange. No headlights but when I turned the key off lights started blinking and clicking at the radio. It continued even when I took the key out of the ignition I had to pull two circuit breakers to make it stop.

25

Could the LCM be causing the problems? The #12 circuit breaker protects the LCM and so does the #4 fuse. The #5 fuse goes to the reverse lights. Last night when I plugged in the #4 and #5 fuses clicking started under the dash and I had to pull them both to make it stop.

10

Will headlights come on? If no check battery cable ends. Any sign of green looking corrosion on posts and or cable ends. Warning: Batteries are corrosive and explosive. No smoking or sparks also this green looking stuff is acid and corrosive. Use gloves and saftey glasses. If yes neutralize acid with battery cleaner or baking soda mixed with water just enough to liquidfy. After neutralizing acid (stops bubbling) clean up baking soda with disposable rags and safely dispose of rags in trash. Now clean posts and ends of cables with battery postt cleaning tool or wire brush. Also check that ends of cables are tight going to posts. If lights do come on but are dimmer than usual still do above. Stll not starting? Did u try getting a jump start? If still no luck you may have a bad ground wire to battery or bad positive wire.

1 people found this helpful.
10

The clicking is a relay. Something is arcing/shorting . The lower than usual chime sound is inadequate amperage possiby due to shorting or low battery charge. Shorting will drain battery and possibly cause fire. Smell anything?

10

Chime stops when u turn key cause it demands more amps to turn starter. Sounds like low battery still

10

That crazy clicking in dash and lights flashing is proably a car mfg safty feature to get your attention which lead to u pulling fuses. Id disconnect battery. Something may get hot. Like wires. As a battery gets very low some cars some gradually shut off features to conserve battery.

25

No headlights. The battery is fully charged & the cable ends are new. No corrosion on battery posts. I will disconnect the battery and see if I can find a short tomorrow when it gets light outside. No, I don't have anything to jump start with. Thank you for your time GuruDK5G3 and Tinkeringted60. Will post tomorrow what I find out.

5,415

Like the other guys, I say "battery cables". Bad cable, bad ground on negative cable, new ends not making good contgact with cable. I'd just put on both new cables and go from there.

10

What’s wrong w my car when it’s crank it’s goes dead r when I try accurate it’s goes dead

1 people found this helpful.
5,415

Could be the fuel pump. Do you hear it run! (for a few seconds after you turn on the key? Check fuel pressure with a gauge.

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