So last night my 2004 CVPI was perfect. Fired up more than once, no issues whatsoever. After a bit of lengthy driving last night, it won't start this morning. I found this list of questions below in someone else's no start thread, I figured it may be helpful.

Can you turn the key in the ignition? (Yes)
- When you switch the ignition ON before starting the car, does the "check engine" light come on? (Yes)
- Do you hear the cranking sound when you're trying to start your car? (No cranking sound)
- Is the engine being turned over by the starter too slowly? (No cranking)
Before your engine died, did you experience any prior events such as:
- leaving the lights ON overnight (No)
- driving through a deep puddle, or washing the engine compartment? (Yes - engine was detailed Tuesday by a professional cleaner, but like I said no starting issues until now)
- having only a little fuel in a tank? (Fuel tank over half full)
- having had the engine repaired recently? (No)
- extremely low oil pressure? (No low oil pressure)
- unusual noises such as knocking, pinging, whistling? (Only noise was that sometimes when firing up in the cold, I heard a slight ring or whistle maybe when it went to high idle, just for a second)
- smoking from exhaust pipe? (No)

The battery is brand spanking new, and I checked the voltage, it was reading 11.9V at -22 degrees Celsius over here. I still got all lights and everything though, but the no cranking sound is what bothers me. I only hear a relay click when the ignition is moved to start and then to on.

Thanks, much appreciation for any quick responses here!

Focus on the starter.

Jump the solenoid with a screwdriver. Or better yet get a rubber dead blow hammer and smack it a few times. The idea is to rattle the brushes.

Also test the red plastic covered wire at the solenoid while someone tries to crank it. Getting any volts's ?

If you are in Park-- move the lever to Neutral and wiggle the lever while turning the key to start. You have a "neutral" safety switch that must be in the correct position to engage the starter.

Thats pretty smart.

Lets do the easy clean stuff before we go rollin around in the dirt.

Nice

x2 with Rizzo. Sounds like a bad starter (solenoid) or a bad wire connection.

I'll try the neutral safety switch thing as soon as I can. My first thought when this happened was that it was the starter, our old Caravan did the exact same thing lol.

Won't start in neutral or park. Starter/solenoid idea is looking stronger now.

Which area is the starter/solenoid located underneath. It is pretty tight under there, how hard is this thing to reach? Jack/jack stands needed I'm guessing (I managed to do the Caravan without lifting).

Passenger side-bottom side rear of block.

Read that man.

https://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1588440#Post1588440

Yikes... bigger job than I thought. Need to remove belts and looks really tight. I don't know if I'll be able to DIY this one now, especially since I've got limited time and space with the cold weather. Thanks for the link.

All of a sudden the vehicle started today. It is also much warmer today, and when it wouldn't start yesterday, it was approx. -22. So... now what is it then? I'm guessing related to my engine wash? Now, I need to know as fast as possible what to do to make sure whatever happened doesn't happen again, so we can take the car out. Thanks!!

do not wash the engine! or if yuou must cover the coil on plugs? just my opinion

This is exactly how my 97's starter did me...

I still think its gonna die.

I've had starters do that.Usually when the engine is hot. The starter on my 84 would do that only when hot but worked every time when cold. Now I did have a starter on a Geo Prizm that did it regardless - Hot or cold.

you might have problems with your battery cables too.