Car just died while idling. Now won't even crank.

[StevenStarke]

Haven't driven my car in 4-5 days so I took it around the block a few hours ago just to keep everything moving. So just now I start it up to warm it up again and I'm sitting still in the drive way when it just dies. I go to restart it and nothing happens. Doesn't crank at all. It's not a dead battery or security issue. Tried both keys and there's no security light flashing. I checked the fuse box under the hood briefly and found nothing. I'm lost now. I was thinking maybe a start relay but thag wouldn't make the car just shut off abruptly while idling. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[slagburn]

Does it show any rpm on the tach when cranking? Should be about 150

 

[Blazer707@TBR]

Also even though you say its not a battery issue have you tried to jump it? Batteries do weird shit.

 

[Nuar]

The first thing I thought of was some kind of problem in the charging system. Drained the battery and then just died and has no power to crank it over. Probably way off though.

 

[slagburn]

I'm sorry, I didn't read that very well. No cranking at all, not even a clunk from the starter? Sounds like you're on the right path with the battery, then possible alternator.

 

[StevenStarke]

The car doesn't crank at all. Doesn't even try to. It'S not a battery issue. I JUST drove the car a couple hours before and even then it started right up no problem both when I drove it and when it died. It was idling and I was sitting it. Not touching anything. For about 2 mins. And then it just died immediately. Like a fuse blew that would cause it to shut off. Then from that point forward it wouldn't turn on. When I turn the key all the way absolutely nothing happens. Everything inside the car lights up but it doesn't even make an attempt to crank. Used the SCT to check for codes and said none found. Cleared DTC's anyway and still doesn't work. I'm lost now.

 

[Sick_Mustang]

Have u checked the fuses on the passenger side kick panel (interior) I forget which ones are over there.

 

[Blazer707@TBR]

The car doesn't crank at all. Doesn't even try to. It'S not a battery issue. I JUST drove the car a couple hours before and even then it started right up no problem both when I drove it and when it died. It was idling and I was sitting it. Not touching anything. For about 2 mins. And then it just died immediately. Like a fuse blew that would cause it to shut off. Then from that point forward it wouldn't turn on. When I turn the key all the way absolutely nothing happens. Everything inside the car lights up but it doesn't even make an attempt to crank. Used the SCT to check for codes and said none found. Cleared DTC's anyway and still doesn't work. I'm lost now.

Have you tryed to charge the battery and jump start it??? You keep saying its not a battery issue. Ive seen this same stuff on a daily basis.

 

[5PNTSLW]

Start with the simple stuff man, it wont hurt to try a jump it only takes a few minutes. The ECU's on these cars are very finicky when it comes to voltage.

 

[scott_0]

as said, start with the simple stuff first, check the battery voltage, maybe try jump starting as suggested, then check fuses

 

[StevenStarke]

Would the ecu not even let the car crank? I just can't see it being a battery issue as the car started up perfect and drove around the block 2 hours earlier. Then even this time it started up perfectly and was running for two mins idling without a problem when it just shut off. I'm at work at the moment so I'll try throwing jumper cables on it later. I just can't see how the car would be running no problem and then just shut off 2 mins later and not even crank. Even if the battery died for some reason the car shouldn't shut off.

 

[mhyjek]

Would the ecu not even let the car crank? I just can't see it being a battery issue as the car started up perfect and drove around the block 2 hours earlier. Then even this time it started up perfectly and was running for two mins idling without a problem when it just shut off. I'm at work at the moment so I'll try throwing jumper cables on it later. I just can't see how the car would be running no problem and then just shut off 2 mins later and not even crank. Even if the battery died for some reason the car shouldn't shut off.

I left the lights on in my car overnight the car barley started up but did and was idling went inside to get my wallet and came out car was off wouldn't start, got jumpers car started up went for long ride to charge battery never had a problem. Not saying it is your case but it is cold up by us and maybe the battery was a little weak???

 

[NickSezz]

Do the dash lights flicker when you turn the key? Does anything happen? A battery with a dead cell will do this and may not be able to be jumped either. Replace the battery if so. It sounds crazy but I have seen this happen before and its happened to me as well. Car ran fine, shut her off for a few hours and nothing...completely dead.

 

[Angry50]

i had a battery with a dying cell and it would struggle real bad to crank. the auto store said it was alternator then the dealer said it was battery. replaced battery all was good. the dealer said the cell was almost dead

 

[Nuar]

Even if the battery died for some reason the car shouldn't shut off.

That's why initially i pointed out the charging system, if it wasn't charging the battery, the car would eventually die and simce it wasnt charging the battery, it will not restart. Its worth throwing a different battery on there just for shits and giggles to see if it does start, its an easy way to absolutely rule out that possibility.

 

[scott9050]

Also make sure the battery cables are tight. My Mark VIII did the same exact thing when the cables loosened up.

 

[StevenStarke]

All interior lights are on at full brightness with the key on. The fuel pumps come on. It's not like it weakly cranks either. It's as if the starter isn't even connected. Only reason I haven't checked that is because the car was running and shut off out of nowhere. So it would have to be two separate issues a starter wire falling off wouldn't make the car shut off. I'll try cables later for kicks. Just seems like some relay or fuse that allows the car to be running failed and it's not allowing the car to get the signal to the starter. When a battery is low the lights are usually dim and the lights will even turn off when you then the key to start it. My car doesn't di that. Everything stays lit up. I'll take a video later and post it up.

 

[greenscobie86]

Starter relay? Dunno if these cars have one...

 

[corepwn]

Ran into similar issue, change the battery before you waste any more time.

 

[SC Heaven]

OP..