1989 formula 350 will not start! I drove to the store yesterday came back home, realized that I had forgot something and went back out to the car and it would not start. When I turn the key I can hear the fuel pump prime itself and I hear a click that sounds like it is coming from the engine bay. Also when I turn the key all of the interior lights and radio go out and of course the starter does nothing. Given the cars age I started with a new starter/solenoid and got nothing for my efforts. Any ideas guys and gals?!

Thanks in Advance
Chris

 

Battery cable / terminal or battery problem. (possibly shorted starter motor)

 

If you turn the key and nothing happens, could be a vats problem. I dont think that the interior lights are suppose to go out when you turn the key. The radio should though.

 

Im guessing a battery terminal problem too. Maybe the bat. wire cracked or has too much corrosion.

 

Hi Turbota82

I would say it`s a battery problem, try switch your battery or connect the terminals to another cars battery terminals. The click you hear is most likely the startersolenoid on the startermotor, but when it needs allot of amps the battery itself give up, and all your gauges go out.

 

undercharged/potentially dead battery or bad connections. the starter isnt getting enough power to turn the engine over and that is what causes the clicking (i forgot the technical aspect of that).

i would clean the terminals thoroughly/check for excessive corrosion.

as far as cleaning the terminals, i would take some baking soda and mix it with warm water, and use it to clean the terminals/wires. baking soda (sodium hydroxide) is an alkaline whereas the battery corrosion is acidic in nature, so it should dissolve a decent amount of it, clean with a brush and tighten back in.

then charge the battery and see if it starts easier, if not go get your battery tested at advance auto and replace.