Help, '89 won't start
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 239
From: Northern VA
Help, '89 won't start
My Buddy is trying to sell me his low mileage 89 Vert. The car is in decent shape but has not been started in a while. We trickle charged the battery and the amp meter showed 13.5 and all lights came on but when I tried to turn it over, nothing! No click no nothing. My friend seems to recall that he had problems with the clutch safety switch?? I took the battery out, had it tested and it was determined it was bad. Wouldn't I at least get a partial turnover or something from the old battery? I even had it jumped to my Ford Exploder. Any ideas would be appreciated. I plan on taking it up to a shop this Sunday for an evaluation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Help, '89 won't start (jerkyboy)
Takes amps, not just volts and jumping it from another car with standard cables often isn't enough. You could try to push start it; call a tow truck if you have AAA or the like (their equipment is 10x's more capable at supplying the necessary juice then your basic set of jumper cables); or spring for a new battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,372
Likes: 21
From: Traverse City MI
Re: Help, '89 won't start (jerkyboy)
A bad clutch switch would cause this probelm too. Start with the battery and see if you can jump start it. You should at least get something, even a slow crank.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Help, '89 won't start (jerkyboy)
You won't live long enough for a trickle charger to charge up that battery. Get a real charger. Also, car batteries don't like sitting idle for long periods of time and their plates collect lead sulphate which is a good insulator. The battery terminal volts should not drop lower than 9.0 volts when cranking or the battery is discharged or is at the end of its life. If a 10 amp battery charger shows no charging current , then you will have to replace the battery.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 239
From: Northern VA
Re: Help, '89 won't start (jfb)
Haaa. I got it started!!! New battery did nothing. Hitting the starter a few times with a hammer did the trick! Got it running and sounds like it needs bearings, pwr steering pump, tires, wheels (one's bent doesn't hold air). Think I'll pass on this one. Thanks for the input guys.
