1999 Ford Taurus no start

Hello -

To better assist you is your model a LX, SE, or SHO? Also what is your engine size in liter and the 8th digit of your VIN.

You only have 11,000 miles on this car? Wow that isn't very much!

Hi Michael

Thanks for the info

When you said "went to start,crank-crank-crank,but no fire!" are you saying you checked for a spark and there wasn't any or no fire as in it didn't start. . .just turned over?

Has the car sat for a long time and then you started driving?

If it has sat for a while, it is possible the fuel filter needs changing, it may have stale fuel in the tank also.

If it is running good right now, you could still go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

It may have thrown a code that will give a clue.

Depending on how long it has sat, the conditions that it was in while it sat depends on the condition of the wires, relays etc.

If it is running okay for now and there are no codes after checked, then next time it does this, we need to figure out if it is electrical or fuel related. Pull a plug wire off of the spark plug and insert something into the end of it and have someone try to start the car and have the metal object really close to a piece of metal on the engine and see if you are getting a good strong popping blue spark. Don't have your hands on any part of the metal!!! If there is no spark, then it is electrical.

If you are getting good spark then spray some starting fluid in the throttle body and try to start it and see if it tries to start then.

You may need to get a fuel pressure check on the fuel pump to ensure it is putting out okay.

Was the car low on gas when parked at that angle? I know you said Depending on where the pump pick-up is in the tank, if it was low on fuel point up or down could get air into the system and cause it to not start either.

Also, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.

Hello - Michael

Thanks for getting back with me.

Sorry for the delay in getting back with you. . .. . .. . ..I encountered some technical difficulties. . .. . .. . ...

Thanks. . .. . .we understand your jargon but please understand. We talk to literally thousands of customers each day, from all parts of the United States and sometimes Canada and each have a different level of auto understanding and jargon. This is why sometimes we ask for clarification to make sure we understand what you're saying. . ...in this instance "crank". So please forgive if we seem to be pretty basic or want to clarify. . .. . .we just want to make sure we are understanding what you are saying.

When I asked, when it was cranking and not catching. . .. . ...were you getting any fire to the plugs?

Yes, I TOTALLY understand your frustration there. It drives just fine until it is raining, cold, and you are late to an appointment. . ...that is when it will do this again.

If the scan tool is not picking up any codes and it is driving okay. . .. . ...that kind of puts you in a pinch. . .. . .. . ..

Wow, 87. . .. . .we certainly don't like to have her in a bad situation. . .. . .. . .. . ..she really needs something dependable.

A crank no start can be a Coolant sensor going bad or crankshaft sensor or to really narrow it down, the check for spark of fuel.

A fuel pump going bad can also heat up and not work correctly. Only about 11000 miles isn't very much.

Have you checked the wiring?

I agree Sir. . ...a pumpectomy (I like that) isn't a fun fix to just play swap troncis or a parts swapping game.

You can get the fuel pressure checked?

I would definitely change the fuel filter. . .. . .. . ...

I didn't see where you took it to AZ or OR to check for codes. It is possible that it threw a code during the no start. I would still go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator. It may have thrown a code and would give a clue.

There is a fuel pump relay in the battery junction block, front center of engine compartment behind the radiator according to the wiring diagram. You can remove it and check for corrosion etc.

You can check fuse 10, 20Amp. I would use an ohm meter. . .. . ...that goes to the fuel relay - relay to the pump.

I know it is hard to do the spark/fuel check unless you are always driving it and it stops. . ..but that may be your only option. I had to do this with my wife's grandmother. . .. . ...I was lucky. . ..it broke pretty quick

The bad thing about a car not being driven very much is it kind of rots. . .. . ...things start to go bad that should last a long time just because it isn't being used. We have the same problem with some of the in-laws farm equipment.

Not sure what else I can do here Michael. . .. . .. . ..if you want to keep me posted I will do what I can.

I would still get the codes checked. . .. . .. . ..

Hey, one other thing though. . .. . .. Also, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.

Hello Michael

Thanks for the update.....

Yes, I know you used the Midas scan tool....... No codes....... My hope that while driving since the last time you checked the codes it may have thrown one..... With it not failing and not wanting to put her in a situation..... Just checking again.......

I would really check the tank really good to see if you can see anything inside just in case there is rust, trash etc from sitting so much.....I would also change out the gas in case it is getting stale.

Yes I totally agree....... If it would just die then you wouldn't be playing a guessing game.

Thank you very much for keeping in touch. Please as you said, keep us posted so other readers can have an idea.......