1996 Ford Escort starter wont turn over

1996 FORD ESCORT
135,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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ROB3612
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For a while now occasionally maybe one in 150 starts or so the starter was dead but to rectify this i simply turned off the car and turned it back on and the starter kicked over and all was good. 2 days ago it all stopped. no matter how many times i turned it off and on it wouldnt turn over the engine. Thinking the starter / solinoid went bad took them to advanced auto who tested them and both were fine. so i brought the starter back to the car replaced it and still no go. While i was there they asked about the starter relay i purchased one and replaced it (11 bucks who cares if it needs it or not) i then cleaned the battery cables and checked for loose wiring ect. found no corrosion nor loose connections anywhere. I am at a loss as to what to check next and correct things to get. Thinking it may be neutral safty switch? or blown fusable link(didnt see one but doesnt mean it isnt there) ? or a possible bad ignition switch? though i still get power to the relay when i turn the key to start as the relay does click once when it engages. what should i be checking and in what order. I do need the car tomorrow night for work . Edit: ok checked the battery its low charging it... but why wouldnt the starter just engage and turn over slowly like older model cars....
Jul 24, 2008 at 11:23 PM
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ROB3612
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ok battery checks out fine. ohm meter shows 0 volts sitting at the positive lead to the starter.... assuming its a fuse or something for the starter lead. but cannot find a link nor fuse for it. any help as to where a fusable link or fuse for the starter is at would be of great help

OK found the problem.... the connector for the starter solonoid its a peice of cheap plastic and its not making contact. going to the parts store to get a replacement ill let ya know if it solves the problem
Dec 14, 2018 at 9:36 AM
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KHLOW2008
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Hi rob3612,

Hope you have got the problem settled.

Normally a good clean up of the battery terminals would do a lot of wonders. Remember to remove negative terminals first and install last.
Dec 14, 2018 at 9:36 AM
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ROB3612
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It was the ignition switch.... did the push button under the dash fix :P.... but the ignition switch when its turned over to start has 2 switches one goes to the relay on the back firewall to turn off non essential things (such as radio blower motor ect) the other goes to the starter. The switch to the starter is bad. i just ran a wire from the fuse box (always hot) to a switch under the dash to the starter ... i even fused the wire (there is an unused fuse place in the fuse panel) cost of the repair was less than 20 dollars. if you wanted to i could put a inline switch to disconnect the power before the push button for added safety but i thought that would be redundant.
Dec 14, 2018 at 9:36 AM
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KHLOW2008
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Hi rob3612,

Hey, you are good.

Any consideration about joining as a moderator?

Just write to the admin and they will look out for you.
Dec 14, 2018 at 9:36 AM