Will not start

DESKMAN

MEMBER
2002 FORD TAURUS
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

I turn the key and the dash lights come on as normal but nothing happens. No turning over or clicking noise.

Friday, January 20th, 2017 AT 6:24 PM

4 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

First try it in "neutral". If that works, suspect the neutral safety switch/range sensor.

Check the battery's voltage with a digital voltmeter. If it is good and fully-charged, it will read 12.6 volts. If you find it is near 12.2 volts, it is good but discharged. Charge it at a slow rate for an hour, then try it. If you find it is around 11 volts or less, it has a shorted cell and must be replaced.

I will figure out where to go next based on what you find up to this point. A test light will work best for the next tests.

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Friday, January 20th, 2017 AT 6:36 PM

DESKMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I put a meter on the battery and it is reading 11.9/12.0. So like you said the battery probably has bad cell. I going to try to jump to see if it will start and if does I will replace it.

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 6:44 AM

DESKMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So I jumped the battery and that did nothing. But I did tap on the starter while my sub turned the key and it started right up. So I am putting in a new starter. Thanks for your help.

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 8:27 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

Dandy. Also, check if the engine is leaking oil onto the starter. That can deteriorate the brushes inside the starter motor and cause intermittent operation. The oil leak must be fixed to avoid repeat starter failures. Ford has also had trouble with the wire strands corroding away under the insulation right by the large terminal on the starter. Wiggling that cable often gets the starter working for a while.

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 2:47 PM