# Alternator problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 10, 2016, 8:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484 "2016-02-10T08:23:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/1 "2016-02-10T08:23:06Z")
So earlier today when I tried to start my car it wouldn’t start! I tried cranking her over twice and I got nothing. The battery gage needle didn’t move when I tried starting her up the few times. What’s weird is that I took my other car (parents) out to run the errands I needed to run and when I got back I thought to myself “well maybe the battery is dead and needs to be jumped” that makes sense right? So as I pull up next to my car I decided to try starting her one last time and when I put the key in and cranked her over she started right up! Not a stutter or anything! So I’m left with the feeling that maybe it could be a failing alternator ? Or possibly a loose cable or something ? Btw the car is a '98 Mercury Grand Marquis. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/2 "2016-02-10T08:34:38Z")
I’m gonna guess a corroded battery cable connection or loose battery post (internally) or something of the sort, but it’ll need to be looked at to truly diagnose it. Other possibilities include a worn out key cylinder. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/3 "2016-02-10T08:35:48Z")
@“the same mountainbike” hmm do you think that’s something I could have my local Autozone look at? Or is it better to just take it to a trusted mechanic ? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/4 "2016-02-10T08:36:08Z")
To get a diagnosis \* ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/5 "2016-02-10T08:37:56Z")
Take it to a trusted mechanic. AZ guys can mount a tire or change a battery, but you’re better off with someone with true diagnostic skills. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/6 "2016-02-10T08:38:51Z")
Use the web to find a video on cleaning battery connections. It is not difficult at all. Cheaper than a $100.00 diagnostic fee you might not need. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/7 "2016-02-10T08:41:50Z")
Alright will do… Would something like a corroded battery cable or loose post make it not work in colder weather? It was around 55 degrees this morning when I tried starting her., Just wondering because it was warmer around 1 today when she fired right up ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/8 "2016-02-10T08:42:52Z")
@“VOLVO V70” will definitely try that first! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/9 "2016-02-10T08:49:46Z")
Idk if the posts look dirty or what not… But this is what they look like. Will try cleaning them tomorrow and post back results. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/10 "2016-02-10T08:50:49Z")
Here we go. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/11 "2016-02-10T08:58:41Z")
Those don’t look particularly corroded, but it is the part not visible – the surfaces between the connector and the post – you need to clean. You’ll need a special and inexpensive battery post tool gadget to do that. A couple of other common reasons for this symptom are a faulty neutral safety switch (for an automatic), or faulty clutch safety switch (for a manual transmission). But before going down that path, make sure the battery connections are tight and clean. If the battery is over 4 years old, 3 if you live in a hot climate, that should be high on the list of suspicions too. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/12 "2016-02-10T09:13:35Z")
@GeorgeSanJose that’s what I thought but I’ll clean 'em anyways and see what happens… Any idea what an estimate would be on what you mentioned in your comment above ? Cars an automatic btw. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/13 "2016-02-10T09:18:55Z")
Replacing a neutral safety switch isn’t usually very expensive. But a good mechanic wouldn’t replace one just b/c this symptom is occurring. They’d find out why the symptom is occurring first, the replace or adjust the part that is not working. There’s a least a half dozen common reasons for the “fails to crank” symptom. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/14 "2016-02-10T09:20:58Z")
Hmm alrighty then 🙂 I’ll try and start her tomorrow morning and see what happens. And also give it a clean down. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/15 "2016-02-10T09:26:03Z")
Given the age I might suspect the neutral safety switch (allows it to start only in park and neutral) may be failing. This is referred to in more technical terms as a range selector switch. If it acts up again try shifting into neutral to see if it starts. If so, it’s likely the switch is bad. The switch is not a major repair at all; if needed. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/16 "2016-02-10T09:27:21Z")
You could search this forum for “cranking” problems and see what kinds of solutions others have found for this symptom. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/17 "2016-02-10T09:41:29Z")
Saw a couple of different posts on cranking problems… I guess it could be possible a fuel pump relay is shorting and could need replacing ? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/18 "2016-02-10T09:45:08Z")
Oh also the fuel pump itself was replaced just two years ago so I don’t think it would be that ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/19 "2016-02-10T09:47:33Z")
A fuel pump relay wouldn’t be the usual explanation for a fails to crank. That would likely be in the cranking system, so a battery, safety switch, ignition switch, starter motor, etc. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/john_andrew_mccormick/32/7141_2.png) [@John\_Andrew\_McCormick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_Andrew_McCormick)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484/20 "2016-02-10T09:49:35Z")
Gotcha 🙂 just wasn’t sure. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-problem/92484.md?page=2)