Hey whats up guys happy to join the Ford ranks!

Well Saturday I bought a '96 XLS Sport from what I am told 4.9 5 speed and all was well. I started it before I bought it but the fella said he had to spray the battery terminals with WD40 cause it wouldn't start every so often. Drove it home no problem parked it drove it to get a safety check on Sunday no problem. Left it inside the shop over night and one of the guys drove it outside this morning no problem. Problem is at about six I went to pick it up and nothing. All acess. have power and I can hear the fuel pump but nothing when I turn the key. Friend mine said he had the same thing happen and he changed the screws on the battery terminals? Can't see how that would help if the truck still has power to the lights and such? Maybe a starter problem but it doesn't even turn over? Anyone had this problem?

 

Bad connections on the battery or the starter. I would take off the the cables and use a terminal brush to clean them up and get a better connection, then do the same on the starter relay on the fender and the connections on the starter under the truck on the passenger side.

Use dielectric grease on your connections to keep them from corroding.

 

well i dont see how wd-40 could help. i would check the cables to the starter clean them also if you have a remote starter switch hook that up if it works you prob have a short in the ignition. good luck take your time and dont give up

 

Yeaah didn't get the wd40 thing but just went with it. Tomorrow I am gonna replace my postive cable and check all connections to the starter.

 

i use cheap spray paint on my electrical connections for a clean look and helps stop corrosion. they also sell a spray for that but spray paint is cheaper

 

Replaced the positive cable and terminal connector today. Still nothing decided to get someone in the cab turning the key while I banged on the starter solenoid and sure enough she turned over. Waiting on a new one to come in as I speak not bad for 24 bucks at Canadian Tire.

 

Why did you only do the positive cable? The ground is the most important and most neglected. When you replace your solenoid , make sure to clean you ground connections at both ends. Replace if needed. The WD40 trick is a old quick.fix for corrosion on terminals. It is a good cleaner if you use it right but mineral oil ( WD40 ) is conductive. Spray it on and it makes a temporary connection.

 

I'm about to do my negative today, I cleaned off part of the frame where the cable is held against the frame and thought.... what a stupid design.

Going to run a brand new cable and have a separate ground cable running back to the frame.

 

Yeah its become a very common design especially on newer cars. It's cheaper to build and it works. Most people replace it with 2 cables.

 

Your '96 has two solenoids. Technically the fender mounted one is called the relay, but it's the same damn thing as my only solenoid.