car won't start

[Anonymous]

yesterday i took my car out for a cruise for probably about an hour and it was running fine. the only problem was that yesterday was probably the hottest day of the year coming in at around 95.
anyway, i got home pulled into my driveway and went to shut the car off and after i turned the key off, my engine kinda popped a couple times. i assumed it was deiseling or something cause it was so hot out and i had driven it such long ways, and i was going to look into that today.
well i get home today (i drive another car as a daily driver, so this incident yesterday was the last time the car was driven) and i go to move my car and now it wont start. i turn the key and i get nothing, no clicks, no grinds, no anything. i checked the battery and its fine. what else should i be looking into? any ideas on what might have happened?

 

[Anonymous]

starter solenoid would be my guess, they are a few bucks from any parts place

 

[mustang6]

Check the starter solenoid first to make sure the little "I"gnition wire that pushes onto it hasn't popped off with all the shaking that went on.

 

[Anonymous]

all my wires have been changed over to ring terminals so nothing pushes on anymore. its all rings and bolts. i tightened em all up and still nothing. i guess i'll replace the solenoid and go from there. is it normal for these things to work perfect one day then not at all the next?

 

[mustang6]

is it normal for these things to work perfect one day then not at all the next?

No, it's not normal but sometimes with parts that are 40+ years old an extremely hot day or something that pushes the extremes can cause failures of borderline parts.

 

[Anonymous]

First check that your battery is charged.
Then, with a helper, you can check the starter relay on the fender. Place voltage leads from a meter on the cable going to the starter and a ground. Have the helper crank the engine, and you should see the 12 volts on the starter cable if the relay is working. If no voltage is measured, buy a new relay.

You might try beating/rapping the starter with a mallet. With grime and age, the solenoid can stick in the starter. If this works, then replace the starter or disassemble and clean it.
Doug