Car wont start - electrical fault

[queeny]

Hi, Im new on here

Ive not had much luck with cars recently, and I bought my 1997 Ford Maverick 2.7TD about 6 weeks ago. This is the 4th time it's broken down.

Last week the starter motor went. At the time I didnt think it was the starter motor because it had been acting like it had a flat battery since I got it. It turned out that someone had done a bodge job on the battery connectors and used crocodile clips, but the starter motor had gone. It was starting brilliantly when I got it back on thursday.

So anyway, today, I put my key in the ignition and the instrument panel lights up as normal. I wait for the glowplug indicator to turn off, crank the ignition and everything cuts out. No lights, no stereo, no clock. I turn the key to the off position, and try again, but nothing at all is happening.

When I open and close any of the doors, it seems to reset the circuit and then the clock resets and the instrument panel lights up, but again, if I try to actually start the engine, it all cuts out again.

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be?

 

[CHASTER]

Welcome to the club.
Hope you get all your teething troubles sorted quickly and without much more expense.
Sounds like it could be something to do with your ANTI THEFT system . If you have a handbook it should say how to reset the system. Otherwise there may be a workshop download about it. Failing this, I'm sure there will be someone much more experienced than I along soon with advice.
Surprising how often these snags are cured with a bit of the right knowledge and very little expense. Hang in there ! There is plenty of experience amongst the members; they'll be along soon I'm sure. Wish I could help more. Good luck.

 

[queeny]

Thanks for the reply

Ive discovered that if I slam the door at the exact same time as I crank the ignition, I can get it started. Im just about to drive it to the garage.

 

[Allboys]

electrical fault

Hi,
i had similar problem with 98 maverick proir to changing but i thought the starter was starting to go again so got it checked out with electrician turned out to be ignition swith starting to wear cost about £90 supplied and fitted in under an hour sounds like this could be the problem as i said maverick started doing it ....

 

[queeny]

I guess it will come as no surprise to some of you, but a connection had come off the battery terminal. It's all reconnected but the mechanic wasnt said the terminals are rubbish.

Does anyone know where I can get cheap battery terminals??

 

[jims-terrano]

Most automotive electrical suppliers will have them, be carefull though as some don't fit on to the battery cables. These trucks have thick cables and I bought a new terminal and had that problem.

Where are you? some one may live local to you and point you in the right direction.

Jim T

 

[queeny]

thanks. Im in Surrey.

Take these for example http://www.barden-uk.com/battery-terminals.html


So I want the one labelled A, but do I want the 25, 50 or 70mm2?

 

[jims-terrano]

The A type looks like thone but ensure you get Posistive if that's what has broken as the terminals on the battery are different sizes. sorry I can't help with the size of the cable other than measure the cable and have an educated guess.

Jim T

 

[CHASTER]

Are you sure about type A ? I know mine is a Terrano but I think it has same battery leads as Maverick and they definately finish up with round lugs which need type B battery connectors.
If the round lugs have been removed and bare cable ends left then ,of course, type A will be best but I would check this out !!!!