97 Mustang, mysterious starting issues
So to try and make this long story short, my 97 ford mustang had a bad drain and bad starting issues. One day the it just decided to not start at all but made a solenoid clicking noise. So I figure ok its gotta be the starter or a cable running to it. Well I went and got a starter and replaced it and now the same clicking noise is happening but a new fault happened. On the passengers side of the vehicle under the hood right by the Cold air intake filter, what sounds like maybe a relay starting clicking on and off repeatedly. It finally died away and decided to see if it shot off any new codes. Well the only code that came up was p1000 (readiness test not complete). Well I'm not worried about that code considering as soon as I can start the car I can drive it around and it should relearn all of it. Any help with diagnosing the issue would be very much appreciated.
Ok, this is going to be difficult. The buzzing or clicking noise is the Constant Control Relay Module (or CCRM). This noise is happening because either a part or all of it doesn't have a proper power or ground. This was a common concern on these. The relay box is located directly under the pass. front fender, up under the inner fender.
The best way to diag this is to do a really close visual check of all the fuses (in the Power Dist. Box) under the hood. There are like 2 or 3 fuses (maxi fuses, if I recall correctly), that feed power to it.
Then check the grounds. These are critical on Fords, and very overlooks. Check G101, which is the pigtail off the neg. battery cable that bolts to the body for corrosion (common) or looseness. There is another ground for these, and I think it's under the fender next to the pass. door.
But, this doesn't explain the no crank. That's just a simple circut of the relay and the switch to the starter. However, one of the fuses could be blown in the PDB that controls power to the relays. Be sure to start with all the fuses. You might just surprize yourself!
The best way to diag this is to do a really close visual check of all the fuses (in the Power Dist. Box) under the hood. There are like 2 or 3 fuses (maxi fuses, if I recall correctly), that feed power to it.
Then check the grounds. These are critical on Fords, and very overlooks. Check G101, which is the pigtail off the neg. battery cable that bolts to the body for corrosion (common) or looseness. There is another ground for these, and I think it's under the fender next to the pass. door.
But, this doesn't explain the no crank. That's just a simple circut of the relay and the switch to the starter. However, one of the fuses could be blown in the PDB that controls power to the relays. Be sure to start with all the fuses. You might just surprize yourself!
Well after asking colleagues and discussing things it could be. I decided to take my wife's pt cruiser battery, even though smaller it would still eliminate if its a battery issue or not. It was a slow starting due to less cranking amps but the battery was actually the issue even though it read good volts, it was just the cranking amps apparently was low. So now I have to get a new battery lol. After of course I got the brand new starter, oh well countermeasures for the future I suppose. After I get the new battery I will have to recheck to make sure there is no battery drain anymore, if there isn't then that means it was the starter going bad apparently. But thanks again for the help. PROBLEM SOLVED for now....
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Damian1982
Ford Ranger
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Jul 13, 2007 07:16 AM




