Car help?

[trigger2]

So, I've been gone forever and a day, but seems like I've gotten myself in a pinch. My mom's 01 Ford Taurus SES has bit the dust. Getting a click-click-click-click-click-click when I try to start. Having had the issue before in another car where the problem was the starter, I changed out the starter. We had a new battery around so put that in too. Went to start it up and there was a bit of a "pop" and the battery was all but dead. Had a friend out, so while I hooked up the jumper box, he fired up the car. It started up no problem with the jumper box. Let it run for a few minutes to let it charge some, and tried to start it under its own power again. When he tried to start it, I noticed a spark come out of the negative battery terminal and again it was dead. Wondering what the issue could be as I've been trying to fix it up as a Christmas gift.

Thanks for the replies,
Trig

[infowars]

Needs a new battery...  Rapid clicking is usually battery,  single clicks usually starter.

[DaCoon]

Possibly the negative cable has come loose where it connects to the frame. Cap1 will probably be able to give you a better idea though.

[SIK1]

Sounds like you need to replace the battery and the cables.

[Dichotomy]

Possibly the negative cable has come loose where it connects to the frame. Cap1 will probably be able to give you a better idea though.

ya shoot him a PM  Cap1 is a good guy and will probably be able to tell you what you need to do. 

[Jayhawk]

Definitely sounds like something surrounding the battery.  Most people don't have a new battery just 'lying' around, how do you know it was a good one?  Get the batteries tested, see if they will hold a charge, check your cables for obvious problems.  Seems like sparks should not be happening.  Sure you have a good connection just between the battery and the cable?

[CAP1]

So, I've been gone forever and a day, but seems like I've gotten myself in a pinch. My mom's 01 Ford Taurus SES has bit the dust. Getting a click-click-click-click-click-click when I try to start. Having had the issue before in another car where the problem was the starter, I changed out the starter. We had a new battery around so put that in too. Went to start it up and there was a bit of a "pop" and the battery was all but dead. Had a friend out, so while I hooked up the jumper box, he fired up the car. It started up no problem with the jumper box. Let it run for a few minutes to let it charge some, and tried to start it under its own power again. When he tried to start it, I noticed a spark come out of the negative battery terminal and again it was dead. Wondering what the issue could be as I've been trying to fix it up as a Christmas gift.

Thanks for the replies,
Trig

more often than not, that starter was ok. this car has what's called a "permenant magnet" starter. it's much smaller than what starters of the past have been, yet produces a lot more torque. when this type of starter goes bad, it generally doesn't make any noise of any sort. you also cannot "tap" test it like the old style starters.
 the rapid clicking you mention could be a couple of different things.
1)bad battery. remove the old one, and take it to a shop to be tested....or just put a new one in.
2)bad solenoid(if the vehicle has one...i believe this car does not)
3)dirty/bad/loose connections. this i believe is your current problem. you said it sparked from the negative terminal. this is indicative of a loose, and/or dirty connection here.
 remove both cables, and use a wire brush to clean the inside circumference of the cable ends....the part that contacts the battery terminals. wear safety glasses...DO NOT DO THIS WITHOUT SAFETY GLASSES. reconnect both cables, and tighten them. wiggle em to make sure they're tight.......sometimes these things wear a bit, and although the bolts are tight, the end may not be tight on the terminal.

 once you've done this, i think that if the battery is good, she should start up for ya.

lemme know if ya need anything else, ok?

john

[5PointOh]

Trigg,

Which metro area are you the closest to?  I know it's an odd question.  Depending on the area you live in AAA offers battery service (if you're a member).  The will come to your home, test your battery, clean terminals, post, check the charging and starting systems.   This a free service to all AAA members. 

AAA providers will also carry batteries on their light service vehicle, and some even new terminal ends and cable. 

Its a very good service. 

[Tigger29]

It's the negative terminal that's bad.  You have corrosion or a poor connection there.  Even with a bad starter there should be no sparks coming from the negative terminal.  Clean the battery posts and the cable ends and you should be good to go (also make sure the new battery is fully charged).  Sometimes the bolt can strip out, or the cable end itself can crack causing a not-so-good connection.

[jay]

eh i has a question to!! 90 ford merc HORRIBLE smells come from battery when u been driving for a bit (we have replaced alternator and many battries) anyone got any ideas?

[ozrocker]

Dead cat under battery compartment?

                                                            <S> Oz

[KgB]

eh i has a question to!! 90 ford merc HORRIBLE smells come from battery when u been driving for a bit (we have replaced alternator and many battries) anyone got any ideas?

Alternator overcharging?

[Bino]

more often than not, that starter was ok. this car has what's called a "permenant magnet" starter. it's much smaller than what starters of the past have been, yet produces a lot more torque. when this type of starter goes bad, it generally doesn't make any noise of any sort. you also cannot "tap" test it like the old style starters.
 the rapid clicking you mention could be a couple of different things.
1)bad battery. remove the old one, and take it to a shop to be tested....or just put a new one in.
2)bad solenoid(if the vehicle has one...i believe this car does not)
3)dirty/bad/loose connections. this i believe is your current problem. you said it sparked from the negative terminal. this is indicative of a loose, and/or dirty connection here.
 remove both cables, and use a wire brush to clean the inside circumference of the cable ends....the part that contacts the battery terminals. wear safety glasses...DO NOT DO THIS WITHOUT SAFETY GLASSES. reconnect both cables, and tighten them. wiggle em to make sure they're tight.......sometimes these things wear a bit, and although the bolts are tight, the end may not be tight on the terminal.

 once you've done this, i think that if the battery is good, she should start up for ya.

lemme know if ya need anything else, ok?

john

All good advice.   

Also make sure the "hot" cable that brings power to the starter has a good connection on each end.

[CAP1]

eh i has a question to!! 90 ford merc HORRIBLE smells come from battery when u been driving for a bit (we have replaced alternator and many battries) anyone got any ideas?

what kind of smell? kinda like rotten eggs? if that's what you're smelling, your battery's being overcharged. what model car? some fords in the early 90's still had external mounted voltage regulators.......and you can throw all the alternators you want at it...if that regulator's bad, you're gonna have a problem.