98 Mustang 3.8L V6 Manual trans, will not start

I have been having trouble with the car starting for some time now. It has been cranking over about 20 times before it actually fires and it was shaking the car until it fired. I changed the starter a few weeks ago and it fixed the shaking problem but it still has to fire about 20 times before it starts. I think it is either a bad fuel injector or an old battery with low cranking amps. (cars works at this point)

However, before I could work on this problem I have a whole new problem. The car does not start at all now, it doesn't even turn over. When I turn the key to start the car, I get 1 click and then everything in my car is dead. The windows, radio, and lights do not work any more. I turn the key off then back on everything is still dead and remains that way until I disconnect the neg battery terminal and reconnect it to the battery. I then try to start the car again and get the one click and then everything is dead again.

I have checked to see if the wires have came loose on the starter, and they are still tight. I have replaced the battery, and tried to jump the car.

Any advise?

 

Remove the positive battery terminal, clean it up and put it back.......Then follow the Negative to the engine block and make sure it is tight. This sounds like just a bad connection, so dont lose too much sleep......The answer is there in plain sight ......

 

I did that and still nothing.

I may be wrong but the neg wire going to the starter is the same as the main ground wire, right? Its the only black wire going down into the engine. If so, it is as tight as i can get it.

 

Oh, I forgot to say. After disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, I have power when I turn the key on, (the windows and the radio work) as long as I do not try to start the car. They do not work after I try to start the car, no matter what position the key is in.

 

Correct......

You have a weak connection, which is capable of "Flowing" enuff current to operate "Low Draw Accessories". The problem comes in when you try and jam 200 to 300 amps of starter current thru an already weak link........

More than likely, if you let the vehicle sit for an hour or two after your symptoms occur....It will "Heal" itself enough to do the same thing over again.....

I would still aim at the ground lug on the block......

 

Is that a NEW battery you put in?, before we keep tossing out ideas?

..............

After scrolling the threads here, I came back after thinking about your title to the thread about a manual transmission, wondering if there could be a bad conatct with depressing the clutch pedal (switch) to start, as one possibility.

If you wind up snookered over this, even with advice here, you might want to study the wiring schematic to the start circuit for the switch I mentioned and relay(s) to see where there could be a point where voltage passing may be weak to fully energize the main full amp passage of the 12 volt current to the starter.