My 88 240DL will not start. Battery is okay - radio goes on, etc. No click when turn key in ignitiion. Previous owner had this problem 2 times - took to dealer and they did something under the hood that took a matter of seconds. Any idea what they could have done or what problem may be? Thanks!

Check out the possibilities the others have given but don't assume the battery connections are good just because they are tight. You could have hidden corrosion between the battery terminal and the clamp. The thin corrosion layer will allow enough current to pass to run the radio but not enough to power the starter solenoid or the starter. (I just had a night run a few days ago to my son's house when his car wouldn't start. This was the problem.) Get yourself a battery terminal cleaning tool for a couple of bucks, take off each terminal and clean the terminal and clamp. Clean off any corrosion and reinstall. I've found that those red and green felt washers under the terminals seem to prevent corrosion, how, I don't know. This is good preventive maintenance as well.

Barbara, I had the same kind of problem with my Crown Vic. Make sure the battery clamps are tight I could leave the car when it’s like that for 20 minutes, go back and it would starts right up. I am taking it that the starter does not turn when you turn the key, right?

Winston, Battery is fine and clamps are tight. The starter doesn't turn. Engine doesn't crank. On the first turn of the key I hear a faint click and then nothing at all. Thanks for your help! Barbara

Barbara --

"...under the hood that took a matter of seconds..."

If the engine cranks but won't fire, then.........

Possibly the 25-amp fuse is corroded — a fairly common problem. It's plugged into a small gizmo clipped (usually, unless it popped off) next to the hi-lo relay on the inner left fender, behind the power steering reservoir.

Other candidates include the fuel pump relay, mounted on the inside firewall, passenger side, just above the lower edge of the kick pad. A tall passenger might kick it. It's a white plastic box, about 1"x2"x2".

Another possibility is corroded fuses (or a defective fuse) in the fuse panel, next to the driver's left knee.

And another possibility is a bad Hall sensor in the distributor (not an average DIY repair).

And yet another possibility is a bad or corroded connection at the spark coil.

If the engine won't crank, then.......

It might be a defective or misadjusted neutral safety switch (this car's an automatic, yes??). This switch is mounted under the plastic cover at the gearshift lever. Try holding the key in "crank" position while you slide the gearshift through the gears from "P" to "D" and back. See if the starter kicks.

Another possibility might be a corroded or loose connection at the starter solenoid. Or even a tired solenoid.

It could also be a defective ignition switch, but this isn't common.

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Don - Thanks so much for the info! I replaced the 25 amp fuse, but no change. I'll get on to the next suggestions.

Thanks again,

Barbara

Barbara --

It wasn't clear from your first posting (well, maybe it was to others, but not to me 'causa where my head usually is....).......

....Does the engine crank but not fire?

Or does it not crank?

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Don, It doesn't crank, the solenoid doesn't engage, nothing. Thanks, Barbara

OK -- then it has nothing to do with the 25-amp fuse, fuel pump relay, or any other fuses. It's in the starter circuit.

Try the test where you "sweep" the gearshift through P-R-N-D-N-R-P while holding the key in "crank" position. This tests the neutral safety switch.

Otherwise, it might be the solenoid. Rap on it with a hammer or metal bar — they can get stuck and unresponsive.

Next, it might be a corroded connection where the wire plugs onto the solenoid. I'm referring to the small wire, which sends the "Hey you, crank!" signal from the ignition switch to the solenoid.

Finally, it could be the ignition switch, though this is not common.

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Don, Thanks for all the info you've given me today -- I really appreciate it. I tried the sweep test and rapping on the solenoid. Still nothing. I'll look into the wire and ignition switch. Thanks again for eveything! Barbara

Get someone to tap the starter body- not the solenoid- while holding the key to crank. If it starts, go buy a Bosch reman starter (don't waste your money on anything cheap) and install it.

Jim - Thanks for the info! Barbara

Check the fuse that's clipped to the inner fender well under the hood on the drivers side. It's a spade type fuse that's near the power steering fluid reservoir, and I think that can cause a no-start if it's blown.

Good luck.

Michael, Thanks for your help! Barbara