HELP MY CAR WON'T START!
96 Mercury grand Marquis won't start when you turn the key. There is no
sound, no clicking, nothing. All the lights and the radio comes on as well as
the windows work so it's not a battery problem. I recently replaced the
starter so that's not it. Today it would not start after driving to a store and let it
sit for about 5 minutes. I had this problem about 2 weeks ago and sometimes
if you just held the key in the on position for about 2 seconds it would start
up. It hasn't done this now for 2 weeks and now it's starting again. Is there
any way to determine what the problem is, it does not have a obd 2 or one
connection. It does have the plug where it says EEC test. I have no idea
what that means or how it is used. Why would I not have a problem for days
at a time and then all of a sudden it starts again? There has to be a answer
to a problem like this that keeps re-occurring? Someone please, please help
me, unfortunately it's not just a car....it's also my home right now
Starter relay. Not sure where it is. Somebody on this forum would know. I'll try and look it up. The other thing could be the starter itself. Try googling it. "g.m. starter relay".
Ok, I looked and it seems the 1993 does not have a starter relay. I don't know why I have always thought it was a 96, but today, I found out different. Now if it was the starter itself, wouldn't the ignition click when turning it? As for the EEC connection, is that a computer attachment for diagnostic?
I forgot to say thank you Trippmeister, i do appreciate the help! There is no starter relay in the fuse box with the other relays but there is a 30 Amp fuse labeled "STR ALT", it looks fine. That also wouldn't explain the problem happening and not. A guy told me if I jumped the EEC with a wire and turn the key on it will flash on the dash board like Morse code to tell you what the problem is. (I personally know him and trust that about as much as the guy who tried to sell me the Grand Canyon.
Ok, one other thought, how can you tell if the park lockout switch is bad? That makes a whole lot of sense when you think about it being a reoccurring problem.
My gosh, someone hates me upstairs! I sitting here telling my friend all of the things I have tried for 3 days now, since I had it towed on Thursday, I reach in and grab the gear shifter and shake it and then I put it in N and nothing. I get out and go under the hood just showing him all the electrical components. I come back and sit it the seat and say "If it was the starter in would click, if it was the solenoid it would not happen occasionally and if it was a fuse, it would be burnt and not work, but watch nothing happens!" I turn the key and guess what, after over 100 attempts over 3 days.....it starts on the first turn! I had tried it 15 times at least since 5 am this morning. WTH IS GOING ON! Now I've drove it 5 miles and shut it off 10 times and it starts every time! I can't go anywhere with it but at least it will be warmer tonight. Last time my 5 min run to Lowes ended up 4 hours and being towed. The only thing I did was wiggle the gear shifter. I can't find anything on line about a Park Lockout switch or relay on this model year.
The lockout switch is on the side of the transmission, you've got to jack it up. Available at any auto store, or online. I should have thought of that. It's where the shift linkage goes into the trans. I used to have a '93, and it took me on a lot of adventures.
Oh thank you so much, I have had zero luck finding anything about that! The rotten car has been just messing with me so bad, today I have started it a good 20 times since my last post....started perfect every time. I've tried not putting it all the way in park - no problem, starts right up in neutral. Soon as I go somewhere, I'm sure to be stranded though! Just the way my luck has been running! Once again, thanks for the help and may you and yours have a wonderful holiday season!
All righty, I'm stuck again! I can't find anything about a "park lockout switch", all I get are the door locks. I search for parts and get the same thing. Is is called a switch, relay, kit or phantom missing piece? Since yesterday, not a single problem and I even dared to go to do laundry. I just don't understand how a problem so severe can happen and then just disappear for days at a time. Also, my car was built in Aug of 93, do you happen to know if it has a OBD connection at all and if so where would it be located? I have searched throughout the underside of the council even going as far as breaking the plastic protective shield underneath to no prevail!
Neutral safety switch on transmission. Auto parts stores have them. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHNS6880? cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&store=37973&campaign=GSC-Catch- All&campaign_id=6478877959&adgroup_id=79272987338&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_ qD_BRDiARIsANjZ2LCTGjjABN1RJ-3dwy79194OlBGX_30xaGbWfShvEa8Vrz- q0t_FVWgaAg9nEALw_wcB
It's on the transmission, where the shift linkage goes in. You'll have to jack it up. Any auto parts store will have it, or can order.
