2.3l starting problem

[Red Dragon]

I have a 96 b2300 completly stock with 138000 on it. I took it to new jersey from R.I saturday and back. During the drive the cat disconected from the front pipes I have it hanging from shoe laces and a clamp untill I can weld it.

Today the truck ran fine...Very loud but fine. Then I tried to start it and it wouldnt even turn over no starter clicking at all. I got a jump and it started right away. I drove around without shutting it off for a half hour and then I shut it off and tried to turn it back on and it wouldnt turn over again.

Is it my battery or starter or something to do with the cat.

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

It shouldn't be the cat.

Sounds like your battery is D E A D! When you get the jump, the truck runs fine? The truck will be running off of the alt. like it should. Your alt could be failing too, but I would think that you would have more problems while driving. Check you cables to be safe. Get it running and have the battery tested to be sure. You could check your voltage with the truck off, should be around 11-12v and then 14v when running.

James

 

[RangerDAD]

Check your Solenoid

If your Battery and Alternator is good you may want to check out your solenoid. One thing you can do is loosen and re-tighten your connections on the unit and the clean the battery terminals as well. I had a similar problem on a boat nothing looked wrong but when I loosened, cleaned and tightened the cables all was good. I hope this helps you out.

 

[Red Dragon]

The truck runs absolutly fine once its connected to the other battery. Im going to weld the exhaust back together today and im going to try and clean out the battery connectors to see if it will help.

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

Is the date on the battery? It really sounds like a failing battery. I just had issues with my 95, I thought for sure it was the ALT. My gauge was reading low and then would spike high. I changed ALT and was good for about a week, then it started again. I decided I better check the date, it was over 5 years old and the truck had been sitting for 1 1/2 years. I was surprised the battery even took a charge the first time. I installed a new battery and no more charging issues.

James

 

[Red Dragon]

I'm not sure about the date. The battery meter on my dash never seems to move at all. It always stays directly in the middle. Im getting a whole new exhaust today and Im going to clean the battery terminals with coke.

Im thinking about doing a tune up with new wires spark plugs and a new battery.

just wondering my friend has an 8.8 rear end from a 97 cobra. would that fit with my completely stock truck

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

Your gauge is in the middle while the truck is running......that would be a good thing. that means the alt is able to keep up with the demands. When it won't start, where is it? That's a sure fire way to know, if it's low it's more then likely time for a battery. You can have them test it while it is in the truck, no sense in wasting money.

Coke? Man, I alwaya just used bakingsoda and water. Now I am a bit smarter, I clean them up real nice with the battery brush and coat things with dielectric grease. I usually don't have to worry about them again.

The Cobra rear? I don't think so, at least it won't bolt up. The Mustangs don't use leaf springs so mounts would have to be fabbed up on the axle just to start. You would also need to know how wide it is and compare that with yours.

James