Mechanic says it is the generator/starter?

Tiny
MICHAEL.DONOUGHE
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Car gave stop safely warning, pulled over to the side of the road and it shut off on the way home from purchasing it. We tried to jump start it, all dash lights, heater, A/C, windows they all work. The electric engine starts and says ready to drive, then it makes a funny noise, the engine shakes and it gives the stop safely and won't start the gas engine. 12-volt battery charges and holds charge, the electric battery shows empty which we can't drive it to charge it so that makes sense. We have left it on the trickle charger to ensure it maintains charge. Had a mobile mechanic came and diagnosed it because we didn't know what else to do at this point. He came back and said it is the starter, but it is located in the transmission and recommended a shop since he did not have the proper tools or equipment to do such an extensive job since the transmission has to be removed to do the job. When we called, we were quoted $1,800. I cannot afford this since we just spent the money to purchase the car.
Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 AT 1:33 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,325 POSTS
Do you have any recourse from the seller? If not, we need to run the codes to see what the problem is.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

The fact that the hybrid battery is dead is not good unless the car has been sitting for a time. Also, I would confirm the starter motor failure by checking the trigger wire at the solenoid for power when cranking.

Here is a guide and video to help us see what's going on:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YRW8fyNudY&t

The book only gets 1.2 hours to change the starter out, so I am not sure what the problem is there. Here is how the job is done so you can see what needs to be done. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Friday, March 21st, 2025 AT 10:26 AM

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