97 sable wont start but ihave power i csn start it with a screw driver to the starter

Asked by ladysmilez Apr 18, 2017 at 09:52 PM about the 1997 Mercury Sable GS Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

it wont start no noise or clicking sounds I have all dash lights radio and door chimes. I can put a screwdriver to the starter and it will start up and drive fine but when I shut it off and go to start it ,it wont start again

6 Answers

59,035

Also try pushing the gear selector as far into park as you can. Also test or replace starter solenoid.

1 people found this helpful.
20

Bought new battery car crank up drove about 5 miles shut engine off want crank put new starter in all I get is a click

2 people found this helpful.
59,035

No. Sounds like electrical to me, possible bad alternator or bad battery terminals / terminal wires or loose, If starter was or is bad that would cause it to die after 5 miles. Check to make grounds to frame from engine block & battery to frame are good ans be sure there is not any corrosion inside battery terminal wires and all wiring contact are clean & tight. Take that alternator to have it tested, along with battery just to be sure and have it charged back up. If battery and alternator is good its likely bad wires to battery & starter, but you can also have the starter tested too.

59,035

Have the starter tested, as solenoid may be bad but that is not the reason it died after 5 miles.

59,035

Look for brittle dryrotted, burned wiring, may also have cracking to the insulation, feel real stiff, make cracking popping sounds when moved ect. The OEM tiny battery terminal wires do not last forever nor those battery terminals on the ends of those tiny wires, I just replaced ours on a 97 Sable, 6 months ago. The starter is in-front the motor not too bad to replace ant of those including the starter too. Try cranking it and see if the alternator is pushing 14.6 volts to the battery with a volt meter.

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