Well maybe it wasn't an Alternator

[nitroracer]

I thought my starting problems would be solved after I installed my new alternator but things just can't be that easy for me. I have had the car not start and then crank up a few tries later. Usually when it doesn't start all the dash lights refuse to come on while starting or having the key at the on position. Come back a few minutes later and it starts? I also had the car cut all power twice while driving at night, it came back on after less than a second but it was noticeable. I installed a new starter solenoid yesterday and the car wouldn't start the first time I tried it. I jumped it with the zephyr and grounded the jumper cable to then engine and not the battery - it started. Pull the jumper cables and it starts fine on its own again.

I'm going to buy some new battery cables today and hope that solves my problem. Anyway to test the starter?

[mrltd]

Most carparts places will test the starter.

[Stu]

I'd say there are issues in the column.

[mrltd]

yeah, the ignition switch might be going bad.

[nitroracer]

Any way to diagnose the switch? And would it be random like my problems are? I thought it might even be time related, but it will give me trouble if it sits for 15 mins or 15 hours.

[mrltd]

Yep. Try jiggling the switch while its running and see if anything happens.

[gadget73]

I'd also pull and clean all those connections on the starter relay, as well as making sure the ground connections are all good. should be a ground strap on the back of the passenger side head and the ground cable from block to battery. Pull and clean both ends of those and see if it helps

[nitroracer]

Ok some new news, car decides it doesn't want to start again. Turn the key to start/on and the interior lights just dim. I used jumper cables to ground the battery to the AC bracket with the same result. Then I used my dads truck to jump the car and it started fine.

But all during this time the positive (red) cable was warm to the touch. Is my cable shot? Or the battery? I'm taking the battery to napa tomorrow to get it tested.

[mrltd]

Sounds like there is quite a draw on the battery. Wonder if there is anything constantly drawing some juice...

[gadget73]

could be the cable is internally toast and is a high resistance circuit. Pull the ground cable and insert a light between the battery and ground cable. If the light is on with everything switched off, you have an electrical drain someplace. Start disconnecting things untill the light goes out to determine what it is.

[Lincolnmania]

does the 91 have the underhood fuse panel? reason i ask is cause i used to work on a 90 towncar........the connections were bad in the underhood fuse panel.......i ended up soldering the connections, and problem fixed

[nitroracer]

I have some relays under the hood for AC & fuel but the fuses are in the car uner the dash. I swapped in a different battery and I'm getting my original tested tomorrow.

[Lincolnmania]

if you cant figure it out, catch up with me this weekend..........i will be in malvern saturday pulling an engine/trans out of a mark 7 so we can fix triplexxx's car and my volvo.......sunday mrltd might be coming up here too.........pm me if u want my cell #
scott