Introduction
As a certified Auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Shelbys that refuse to start. And believe me, I understand how annoying it can be when you’ve got places to go, you hop in, turn the key, and … drum roll please … absolutely nothing!
But no need for concern, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to explain the most common reasons why your Ford Shelby won’t start. I’ll explain all the most common causes and you’ll understand how to diagnose each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll provide useful troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of practical experience, so you can get your Ford Shelby starting and back on the road as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Shelby Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it’s important to initially comprehend the issue. When you realize to yourself “My Ford Shelby won’t start”, this could be due to different issues being wrong with your vehicle. Perhaps the engine is not cranking at all, potentially it is turning over partially but then not starting, or possibly it’s making a clicking sound when you try to start the engine, however ultimately nothing happens. Each of these annoying situations can point to various issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Shelby Won’t Start
There are numerous factors why a Shelby fails to start. These issues usually include a weak or dead car battery, a broken alternator, starter motor issues, fuel system issues, as well as electrical or wiring failures. Every one of these issues can show up as a multitude of symptoms and require separate solutions to detect and fix, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Ford Shelby That Won’t Start
Having the ability to recognize and diagnose these signs, will assist you in finding the root cause of the problem. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking noise but your Ford still fails to start, it is often an indication that there is a problem with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Shelby Won’t Start
The initial step to discovering a practical solution to the problem is knowing the underlying cause of that issue, so let’s dive into the most common reasons your Shelby will not start.
Ford Shelby Battery Issues
In the majority of instances, the most common reason why your Ford Shelby can’t start is, in many cases down to a bad battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you need to charge up your car’s battery or replace it. The vehicle’s battery stores the electricity that’s needed to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Ford Shelby. Symptoms of a weak or dead battery problem in a Shelby, can be things like the vehicle being slow to crank the engine, poorly lit headlights, or a lit-up battery alert light on your car’s dashboard. A portable jump starter allows you to jump start your car if the battery is dead without needing another vehicle. And a battery charger can help recharge a dead battery and diagnose battery issues.
Ford Shelby Alternator Problems
The alternator is responsible for charging the battery from the engine while the car is running. A defective alternator can easily prevent your Ford Shelby from starting as it wont have the ability to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will be depleted all the way down until it’s totally dead and you only realize it when you get in your Shelby and it won’t start. Signs that the alternator may be faulty can be a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dashboard, dim headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding noise from the engine while it’s running.
Ford Shelby Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor is responsible for turning the engine over (cranking) when you start your Ford. If the starter motor is defective in some way then the engine is not going to crank, and your Shelby can’t start. You can find out if your starter motor has a problem or not typically by listening for a clicking noise when you turn your key or a grinding noise during the startup, or your car can start, but only intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Shelby Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but the fuel system itself having problems. Your Ford Shelby uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Shelby problems are part of a faulty fuel system, this could be a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump relay, which could mean the engine might not be getting the fuel it requires to get the car started. Over time fuel injectors can also get clogged, so using a fuel injector cleaner like Red Line can help clean them and improve starting.
Ford Shelby Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Ford Shelbys rely greatly on electronics, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially fail. Even in an older Ford Shelby, you can still have fairly normal problems such as blown fuses, spark plug problems, a damaged ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons that your car won’t start up. Symptoms of a wiring or electrical problem can vary vastly however can often include the engine not cranking, or your Shelby can start however just intermittently or some warning lights are lit up on the car’s dash. To effectively identify and fix these kinds of issues, you will need the skills of a knowledgeable car mechanic in your area or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
As soon as you have figured out what the reason for your car being unable to start is. The next step is obviously to try and repair it. Here are some tips for the common problems we’ve covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Shelby
If it’s a battery issue you suspect is the problem, then the first thing you should do is inspect around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If you find that the terminals are indeed corroded you can try to clean them up with a mix of baking soda and water.
Once you have checked the battery terminals, you can check to see if the battery is just out of charge, or worse, it’s old and weak, or dead and needs to be replaced. For this, you can charge the battery in a few different ways:
- With the help of another vehicle and jumper cables to jump-start your Shelby’s battery.
- Use a car battery charger that you can plug into a socket to charge it up.
- Use a portable car battery charger you can take with you on the go, so you are never left stranded when on the move.
If the battery charges up and works fine, great, problem solved! However, you will need to replace the battery if it’s weak or old. Otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the vehicle, it will probably die again in the not so distant future. You can use a multimeter or OB2 scanner as a way to test the life of the battery to find out if it’s worth saving or if it needs to be changed for a new one. You can get a replacement car battery for your exact Ford model by visiting Amazon here, and selecting “enter a new vehicle” to filter the results for your Ford Shelby, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Shelby’s battery does not resolve your issues, and problems like frequent draining and needing frequent charges persist even after replacing the battery, there is likely a more complex underlying issue causing excessive battery drain. In that case, you will need a professional mechanic to inspect and diagnose the root cause. You can also ask the advice of a mechanic online through us, or get an instant free quote on a Mobile repairs technician.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Shelby
If the alternator is what you suspect is the culprit, you can test it. If you can get the car to start up temporarily (you may need to jump-start the car for that), but once it’s going, let the vehicle run, and while the engine is running, disconnect the positive terminal of your car’s battery. If you discover your Ford Shelby is dying immediately, then it’s probably due to an issue with the alternator. You should be aware however that this method can be dangerous, and may damage the sensitive electronic elements in your Ford Shelby, so it’s necessary to consult with an expert car mechanic locally or online, prior to ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Shelby
If you hear the clicking sound when you try and start the car by turning the key, but the engine doesn’t crank, then its most likely a problem with your starter motor. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Deal With Fuel System Issues in a Ford Shelby
If you suspect the issue to be due to a fuel system problem, listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting up the vehicle. You ought to hear a humming sound for a couple of seconds. If you are not able to hear this noise, then it might be there is an issue with the fuel pump. If you discover your Ford is tough to start, it stalls, or it has weak acceleration, it could be down to a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a reliable car mechanic in order to effectively fix. This is because may require a fuel pressure test kit and mechanic’s tool set to fully diagnose and repair fuel system problems.
How to Fix Electrical or Wiring Problems in a Ford Shelby
If you think it’s a wiring or electrical system issue, initially examine the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have blown. If your Ford starts after this, then it was a successful, cheap and simple repair! If the car does not start, even intermittently, it could be because there is an issue with the ignition switch itself. If various warning lights show up on your dashboard, it might be because of a damaged sensor. These issues can be very complicated and a reliable car mechanic is likely needed to diagnose and repair it. They will probably need tools like a multimeter and OBD2 scanner to test wiring and pinpoint electrical gremlins.
Preventive Steps
As my father always said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to ensure you avoid any Ford Shelby starting pains ever again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Ford Shelby:
Regular upkeep of your Ford Shelby is of the utmost importance to preventing future troubles. This consists of things like routine oil changes, inspecting your car battery, cleaning up the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and having your vehicle checked by a professional car mechanic regularly. You can seek advice from a mechanic in your area or online if you find yourself uncertain or needing further clarity about the regular upkeep jobs required for your specific car.
Drive Your Ford Shelby Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Ford Shelby in your garage for long periods of time without driving it, the battery will run out of charge as it’s not getting any charge from the engine being used. Try to drive your Shelby frequently to keep the battery charged. Take it for a quick spin to make sure there is still charge in the battery if you remember you haven’t driven your Ford for a while. Worth noting: letting the battery totally drain, is also damaging for the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
If you observe anything odd like uncommon noises, changes in driving and performance, or warning lights are now visible on your Ford Shelbys dashboard, do not disregard them. These are usually early warnings of a problem and it’s best to be attended to ASAP so that they don’t end up being much bigger problems later. Speak to a car mechanic in your area or online about these warning symbols and get advice on if they need to be resolved.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you want to save time, want a professional Ford mechanic on hand helping and advising you, or you’ve attempted to fix it for yourself, but despite your best efforts your vehicle can’t start, then talking with a Ford mechanic online can be a great choice. It certainly beats googling things like “dash lights flickering Ford wont start Ford” all day and still getting no where.
Benefits of an Online Ford Mechanic
Online mechanic services, like ours in the bottom right of this page, offer a number of benefits. You can get skilled Ford mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly useful if your car will not start and is stuck in the driveway. You can also save money as online mechanic consultations are more affordable than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get the answer rapidly, which is terrific if you’re in a rush, need a 2nd opinion, or you simply like having a specialist Ford mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with licensed professional mechanics who can offer immediate assistance, guidance and suggestions with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Scorpio won’t start or it’s your Shelby that you’re having issues with, we’ve got the mechanics online that with a little bit of information over a chat box, can solve anything for you.
You’re able to have the ability to describe the issues you are having with your car, ask Ford mechanics unlimited questions, and even submit pictures and videos so you are able to show the mechanic what you mean. You can speak to them through online chat or by phone call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic online will help you identify the problem, guide you on the best course of action for your specific situation and even assist you through easy maintenance and repair work step by step.
So feel free to try out our Ford mechanic help online free service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your Ford Shelby fails to start, it will likely be a major bummer and a massive inconvenience. However, having a firm grasp of what might be causing the problems, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what steps are needed in each case, and where to get help if needed, will be a huge help. Bear in mind that routine upkeep is crucial for avoiding all vehicle issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Shelby doesn’t start?
Firstly, don’t panic. Try to identify any signs that could indicate a problem, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The reason for the problem is most likely one of the most common causes gone over in this guide. If you can’t find the issue yourself, you will need the aid of a Ford mechanic in your area or online.
How to tell if my Ford Shelby won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Shelby include the engine being slow to crank, dim headlights, and lit battery warning lights on the dash. You can also check the battery terminals to see if they are clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If the battery is weak or old, it might be best to just replace it.
How can I prevent my Ford Shelby not starting issues?
In order to ensure this annoyance never ever occurs once again, regular upkeep is crucial. This consists of things like oil changes, examining the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and having your Ford Shelby inspected by a mechanic regularly. It’s also a fantastic idea to drive the vehicle regularly so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Shelby will not start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can provide immediate expert Ford mechanic assistance and suggestions, without you having to leave your home. If your Ford Shelby will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is especially beneficial.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Shelby can’t start?
We connect you with licensed expert Ford mechanics who can offer recommendations on your specific situation. You can inform them about your car problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can appropriately explain and show the problem. The mechanic will have the ability to help, troubleshoot, identify the issue, suggest the best course of action and guide you along the way.
