1993 econoline e150 won't start(from UK)
van-edd
11-29-2005, 04:42 PM
I live in the UK.I have a 1993 ford econoline e150 sherrod day van imported from the US.After a very long period of non-use i tried to start it and all that happens is a click and then everything electrical dies.The alarm then sounds but the sound it makes is weak as if there is a almost no battery power.The only way to stop the alarm is to disconnect the '+' battery cable or to just let it fade out.If i then re-attach the cable or jiggle it about on the terminal everything comes back to life again and the remote works fine.I get all power back until i try to turn the key again and this process repeats.I naturally tried charging the battery and tested it and it's fine.I have a second battery on the right hand side of the engine and this is also fine as far as charge goes (although i have no idea what it is for!).The voltometer on the dashboard instrument pannel reads low but my battery is fully charged.I have next to no mechanical or electrical know-how and would very much appreciate it if anyone out there has any ideas as to what is going on.Thankyou.
ModMech
12-18-2005, 12:11 PM
What you describe is a classic example of one or more "bad connections" to the battery.
Since you say that you do not have a lot of mechanical knowledge, I would follow these steps and it *should* solve it:
1) Remove BOTH battery cables (negative first), clean the clamps and posts (on battery) with fine sand paper or brush.
2) With both cables still OFF, follow each to the next connection point, remove and clean at that point, then reconnect at THAT POINT ONLY. Move on to next point (if any).
3) After you have removed, cleaned, and reconnected each connector between the engine and battery, you can now reconnect the cables AT the battery, POSITIVE FIRST. When both cables are connected, it should start if the battery is any good.
You can check the battery very simply by turning on the headlamps then cranking the engine. If it does NOT crank, but the lights stay on, the starter may be bad. If it does not crank, and the lights go off while turing the key ONLY (come on brightly when key is released), you still have a bad connection. If the lights go OFF and stay OFF even after the key is turned off, the battery is bad.
Since you say that you do not have a lot of mechanical knowledge, I would follow these steps and it *should* solve it:
1) Remove BOTH battery cables (negative first), clean the clamps and posts (on battery) with fine sand paper or brush.
2) With both cables still OFF, follow each to the next connection point, remove and clean at that point, then reconnect at THAT POINT ONLY. Move on to next point (if any).
3) After you have removed, cleaned, and reconnected each connector between the engine and battery, you can now reconnect the cables AT the battery, POSITIVE FIRST. When both cables are connected, it should start if the battery is any good.
You can check the battery very simply by turning on the headlamps then cranking the engine. If it does NOT crank, but the lights stay on, the starter may be bad. If it does not crank, and the lights go off while turing the key ONLY (come on brightly when key is released), you still have a bad connection. If the lights go OFF and stay OFF even after the key is turned off, the battery is bad.
van-edd
12-18-2005, 01:22 PM
Thankyou for your help, ModMech.I did actually get her started shortly after i posted here, although i did nothing different.I just turned the key and it happened.I will follow your instructions though as i am still getting a few minor electrical glitches.For example, the other night when i put on the indicators (turning signal) the headlights went out briefly and the front heater fan keeps going off for no reason.The battery connecters do look like they need a good clean up, so hopefully this will solve things.Thanks again.
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