Pinpoint Test A: The Engine Does Not Crank

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A1 CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE PATS
- Observe the PATS warning indicator.
- Does the indicator flash when attempting to start the vehicle?
Yes : REFER to ANTI-THEFT - PATS to diagnose the PATS DTCs.

No : GO to A2.
A2 CHECK THE BATTERY
- Check the battery condition and charge. Refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
- Is the battery OK?
Yes : GO to A3.

No : CHARGE or INSTALL a new battery as necessary. REFER to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES . TEST the system for normal operation.
A3 CHECK THE BATTERY GROUND CABLE
- Measure the voltage between the positive battery post and the battery ground cable connection at the engine.
  
  Fig 1: Checking Battery Ground Cable
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A4.

No : INSTALL a new battery ground cable. REFER to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES . TEST the system for normal operation.
A4 CHECK STARTER MOTOR GROUND
- Measure the voltage between the positive battery post and the starter motor case.
  
  Fig 2: Checking Starter Motor Ground
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A5.

No : CLEAN the starter motor mounting flange and make sure the starter motor is correctly mounted. TEST the system for normal operation.
A5 CHECK THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE STARTER MOTOR
- Measure the voltage between starter motor C197A, circuit 2037 (RD) and ground.
  
  Fig 3: Checking Power Supply To Starter Motor
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A6.

No : INSTALL a new positive battery cable. REFER to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES . TEST the system for normal operation.
A6 CHECK THE STARTER MOTOR B-PIN
- Connect one end of a fused (30A) jumper wire to starter motor C197A, circuit 2037 (RD). Momentarily connect the other end of the jumper to starter motor C197B, circuit 33 (WH/PK).
  
  Fig 4: Checking Starter Motor Solenoid Operation
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Did the starter motor engage and the engine crank?
Yes : GO to A7.

No : INSTALL a new starter motor. REFER to STARTER MOTOR - 2.3L or STARTER MOTOR - 3.0L . TEST the system for normal operation.
A7 CHECK THE STARTER MOTOR RELAY
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect: Starter Motor Relay.
- Carry out the component test on the starter motor relay.
- Is the starter motor relay OK?
Yes : GO to A8.

No : INSTALL a new starter motor relay. TEST the system for normal operation.
A8 CHECK STARTER MOTOR RELAY POWER
- Measure the voltage between the battery junction box (BJB) starter motor relay pin 30, circuit 16 (RD/LG) harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 5: Checking Starter Motor Relay Power
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A9.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
A9 CHECK THE START SIGNAL TO THE STARTER MOTOR RELAY
- Measure the voltage between the BJB starter motor relay pin 85, circuit 1093 (TN/RD), harness side and ground with the ignition switch in the START position.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A10.

No : For A/T, GO to A14

For M/T, GO to A18.
A10 CHECK THE GROUND SIGNAL TO THE STARTER RELAY
- Measure the voltage between the BJB starter relay pin 85, circuit 1093 (TN/RD) and pin 86, circuit 32 (RD/LB), while placing the ignition switch in the START position.
  
  Fig 7: Checking Ground Signal To Starter Relay
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A12.

No : GO to A11.
A11 CHECK CIRCUIT 32 (RD/LB)/325 (DB/OG) FOR AN OPEN
- Disconnect: PCM C175B.
- Measure the resistance between the BJB starter relay pin 86, circuit 32 (RD/LB)/325 (DB/OG), harness side and PCM C175B-2, circuit 32 (RD/LB)/325 (DB/OG), harness side.
  
  Fig 8: Checking Circuit 32 (RD/LB)/325 (DB/OG) For An Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : INSTALL a new PCM.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
A12 CHECK THE CIRCUIT TO THE STARTER MOTOR
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect: Starter Solenoid C197b.
- Measure the resistance between starter solenoid S-terminal C197b, circuit 33 (WH/PK) harness side and the BJB starter motor relay pin 87, circuit 33 (WH/PK) harness side.
  
  Fig 9: Checking Circuit To Starter Motor
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : REINSTALL the starter motor relay. GO to A13.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
A13 CHECK THE STARTER MOTOR GROUND CIRCUIT
- Connect: Starter Solenoid C197b.
- Carry out the STARTER MOTOR - GROUND CIRCUIT .
- Is the starter motor ground circuit OK?
Yes : CARRY OUT the STARTER MOTOR - MOTOR FEED CIRCUIT .

No : REPAIR or INSTALL a new battery ground cable and/or engine ground cable as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
A14 CHECK THE LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
- Key in OFF position.
- Check the transaxle linkage adjustment. Refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION EXTERNAL CONTROLS - CD4E .
- Is the linkage adjustment OK?
Yes : GO to A15.

No : ADJUST the linkage. TEST the system for normal operation.
A15 VERIFY THE TRANSMISSION RANGE (TR) SENSOR ADJUSTMENT
- Verify the TR sensor adjustment. Refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E A.
- Does the TR sensor need adjustment?
Yes : ADJUST the TR sensor. TEST the system for normal operation.

No : GO to A16.
A16 CHECK THE VOLTAGE TO THE TR SENSOR
- Disconnect: TR Sensor C167.
- Key in START position.
- Measure the voltage between TR sensor C167-4, circuit 306 (TN/LB), harness side and ground with the ignition switch in the START position.
  
  Fig 10: Checking Voltage To TR Sensor
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A17.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
A17 CHECK THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE TR SENSOR AND THE STARTER MOTOR RELAY
- Key in OFF position.
- Measure the resistance between TR sensor C167-9, circuit 1093 (TN/RD), harness side and the BJB starter motor relay pin 85, circuit 1093 (TN/RD) harness side.
  
  Fig 11: Checking Circuit Between TR Sensor And Starter Motor Relay
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : INSTALL a new TR sensor. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E A. TEST the system for normal operation.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
A18 CHECK THE VOLTAGE TO THE CLUTCH CUTOFF SWITCH
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect: Clutch Cutoff Switch C2072.
- Key in START position.
- Measure the voltage between clutch cutoff switch C2072-1, circuit 306A (TN/LB), harness side and ground with the ignition switch in the START position.
  
  Fig 12: Checking Voltage To Clutch Cutoff Switch
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : GO to A19.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
A19 CHECK THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE CLUTCH CUTOFF SWITCH AND THE STARTER MOTOR RELAY
- Key in OFF position.
- Measure the resistance between clutch cutoff switch C2072-2, circuit 1093 (TN/RD) harness side and the BJB starter motor relay pin 85, circuit 1093 (TN/RD) harness side.
  
  Fig 13: Checking Circuit Between Clutch Cutoff Switch And Starter Motor Relay
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : INSTALL a new clutch cutoff switch. TEST the system for normal operation.

No : REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.