I recently bought a 2000 Lincoln Navigator, 176,000 miles, 1 owner. I’ve had it about a week, and today it started trying to crank itself over.
There is no remote start on the vehicle. The solaniod rhythmically kicks on a and the engine will try to start, sometimes grinding on the flywheel.
It continues to do this even when the car is running. Disconnected the negative, and even split second contact is enough to kick the starter off.
We are finally getting into crap weather time in Texas, and the cold and wet might contribute to a short, but all the contacts are clean and tight (on both the battery and starter)
Fuses are all good, the is basically mint condition (about as much as 25 years and three kids will allow)
Thanks for any help in advance, and apologies for any info I might have forgotten.
Without being there to look myself, the first thing I would do is disconnect the ignition switch itself and then try reconnecting the battery to see if it tries to turn over by itself.
If it does, check the body control module (BCM) in the passenger footwell (it’s the fuse box) for any signs of water intrusion. If you have a sunroof the stains can clog and water can run down the A pillar and onto the BCM. Windshields can also leak and cause the same water intrusion issue. If it does not turn over, I would try a new ignition switch.
In the shop, I would be testing the ignition switch by checking resistance values in all the positions with a multimeter.
Edited to add more info.
The BCM isn’t involved in the starting circuit on this. Ignition switch, trans switch and relay is the path.