Intro
As a professional Auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Equators that refuse to start. And believe me, I understand how frustrating it can be when you’ve got places to go, you hop in, turn the key, and … drum roll please … nothing!
But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to guide you through the most usual reasons why your Ford Equator won’t start. I’ll explain all the most common causes and you’ll find out how to identify each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll offer practical troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my two decades of hands-on experience, so you can get your Ford Equator starting and back on the road as rapidly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Equator Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it’s essential to initially have a grasp of the problem. When you hop into your car and realize “My Ford Equator won’t start”, this could be due to various things being wrong with your car. Maybe the engine is not starting at all, potentially it is turning over partially however then not starting, or possibly it’s making a clicking sound when you try to start the engine, however ultimately nothing happens. Each of these scenarios can point to different issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Equator Won’t Start
There are various reasons an Equator will not start up. These problems usually consist of a weak or dead car battery, a bad alternator, starter motor issues, fuel system failures, in addition to electrical or circuitry failures. Every one of these problems can show up as different symptoms and require different solutions to troubleshoot and fix, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Ford Equator That Won’t Start
Being able to recognize and diagnose these symptoms, will assist you in discovering the root cause of the problem. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound however your car still will not start, it can mean that there is a problem with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Equator Won’t Start
The initial step to finding a practical solution to the problem is understanding the root cause of that problem, so let’s look into the most common factors why your Equator fails to start.
Ford Equator Battery Issues
In most instances, the most common reason why your Ford Equator will not start is often down to a bad battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you have to either recharge the battery or replace it. The vehicle’s battery provides the power that’s needed to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Ford Equator. Symptoms of a weak or dead battery problem in a Equator, are things like the vehicle being slow to crank the engine, weak or dim headlights, or a lit-up battery warning light on your car’s dash. A portable jump starter allows you to jump start your car if the battery is dead without needing another vehicle. And a battery charger can help recharge a dead battery and diagnose battery issues.
Ford Equator Alternator Problems
The alternator is tasked with charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A damaged alternator can certainly prevent your Ford Equator from starting as it wont be able to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will be drained fairly quickly until it’s completely drained and you don’t realize it until you get in your Equator and it won’t start. Symptoms that the alternator may be faulty can be a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dashboard, weak or dim headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding noise from the engine while it’s running.
Ford Equator Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor is responsible for turning the engine over (cranking) when you start your Ford. If the starter motor is faulty in some way then the engine is not going to crank, and your Equator will not start. You can tell if your starter motor has a problem or not typically by listening, if you hear a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition or a grinding sound during the start-up, or your vehicle starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Equator Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you simply run out of gas here, but the fuel system itself having issues. Your Ford Equator uses a combustion engine, andfor that reason to start and run, it requires a combination of both fuel and air. If your Equator issues are because of a faulty fuel system, this can sometimes be a clogged fuel filter or a broken fuel pump relay, which could indicate the engine might not be getting the fuel it needs to get the car going. Over time fuel injectors can also get clogged, so using a fuel injector cleaner like Red Line can help clean them and improve starting.
Ford Equator Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Ford Equators rely greatly on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially break and cause problems. Even in an older car, you can still have typical problems such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a damaged ignition switch, or a faulty sensor, and more. These can be some of the numerous electrical reasons your Ford Equator will not start. Symptoms of a wiring or electrical issue can vary greatly but can often include the engine not cranking, or your Equator can start however just intermittently or some alert lights come on the car’s dash. To effectively identify and repair these kinds of problems, you will require the skills of a knowledgeable car mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
As soon as you have determined what the cause of your car troubles are. The next logical step is obviously to attempt to repair it. Here are some tips for the common issues we’ve covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Equator
If you think it’s possibl a battery problem is the reason your Equator has trouble starting, then the first thing you should do is check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and tightly connected. If you discover that the terminals are corroded you can try to clean them up with a mix of baking soda and water.
Once you have checked the battery terminals, you can check to see if the battery is just out of charge, or worse, it’s old and weak, or dead and needs to be replaced. For this, you can charge the battery in a few different ways:
- With the help of another vehicle and jumper cables to jump-start your Equator’s battery.
- Use a car battery charger that you can plug into a socket to charge it up.
- Use a portable car battery charger you can take with you on the go, so you are never left stranded when on the move.
If the battery charges up and works fine, great, problem solved! However, you will need to replace the battery if it’s old or weak. Otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the Ford Equator, it will probably run out of life once again in the near future. You can use a multimeter or OB2 scanner as a way to test the life of the battery to see if it’s worth saving or if it needs swapped out for a new one. You can get a replacement car battery for your exact Ford model by visiting Amazon here, and selecting “enter a new vehicle” to filter the results for your Ford Equator, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Equator’s battery does not resolve your issues, and problems like frequent draining and needing frequent charges persist even after replacing the battery, there is likely a more complex underlying issue causing excessive battery drain. In that case, you will need a professional mechanic to inspect and diagnose the root cause. You can also ask the advice of a mechanic online through us, or get an instant free quote on a Mobile mechanics near me.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Equator
If the alternator is what you think is the reason, you can test it to see for yourself. If you can get the vehicle to start up temporarily (you may need to jump-start the car for that), but once it’s going, let the vehicle run, and while the engine is running, disconnect the positive terminal of your car’s battery. If you discover your Ford Equator is dying pretty quickly, then it’s likely due to a problem with the alternator. However, be warned this test can be risky and dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, and might damage the sensitive electronic parts in your Ford Equator, so its best to talk to an experienced mechanic locally or online, prior to ever attempting this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Equator
If you think the starter motor is the cause of your Ford Equator not starting, listen for a clicking noise when you turn the ignition key. In these cases, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Resolve Fuel System Issues in a Ford Equator
If you suspect the issue to be due to a fuel system problem, try and listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting up the car. You should be able to hear a humming noise for a couple of seconds. If you are not able to hear this sound, then it might be there is a problem with the fuel pump. If you discover your Ford is difficult to start, it stalls, or it has weak acceleration, it could possibly be due to a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely require a reliable car mechanic in order to correctly fix. This is because may require a fuel pressure test kit and mechanic’s tool set to fully diagnose and repair fuel system problems.
How to Repair Electrical or Wiring Problems in a Ford Equator
If you suspect it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system problem, first check the fuses associated with the ignition system, and change any that have actually blown. If your Ford Equator starts after this, then it was a successful, easy and low-cost fix! If the vehicle doesn’t start, even intermittently, it could be because there is an issue with the ignition switch itself. If various warning lights are visible on your dashboard, it might be due to a broken sensor. These problems can be extremely intricate and a reliable car mechanic is likely needed to diagnose and fix it. They will probably need tools like a multimeter and OBD2 scanner to test wiring and pinpoint electrical gremlins.
Preventive Steps
As my dad always stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to ensure you avoid any Ford Equator starting difficulties again!
Regular Upkeep of Your Ford Equator:
Regular maintenance of your Ford Equator is essential to prevent future troubles. This includes things like routine oil changes, checking your car battery, cleaning up the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as suggested/needed, and of course having your vehicle checked by a professional car mechanic routinely. If you are not sure about routine maintenance tasks needed for your particular automobile, you can seek advice from a mechanic locally or online.
Drive Your Ford Equator Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Equator in your garage for extended periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery will deplete down as it’s not being charged up by the engine being in use. Try to drive your Equator frequently to keep the battery full of juice. If you remember you haven’t driven your car in a while, take it for a spin to ensure there is still a charge in the battery. Worth noting: letting the battery fully drain, is also damaging for the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
If you observe anything out of the ordinary like uncommon noises, a difference in how it drives and the performance, or alert lights showing on your Ford Equators dashboard, do not disregard them and get on with your day. These can be early warnings of an issue and are best being attended to ASAP so that they don’t end up being bigger issues down the line. Speak to a car mechanic locally or online about these problems and find out if they need to be addressed.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you want to save time, would like a specialist Ford mechanic on hand to guide and to advise you, or you have tried to fix it by yourself, however despite your best efforts your vehicle won’t start, then talking with a Ford mechanic online can be a great option. It certainly beats googling things like “Ford starts but wont stay on” all day and still getting no where.
Benefits of an Online Ford Mechanic
Online mechanic services, like ours in the bottom right of this page, offer numerous advantages. You can get skilled Ford mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is especially useful if your car won’t start and is stuck in the driveway. It can also help you save money as online mechanic consultations are much less expensive than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get responses rapidly, which is great if you’re in a hurry, need a 2nd opinion, or you just prefer having a professional Ford mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Help You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with certified expert mechanics who can offer instant aid, guidance and advice with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Endura won’t start or it’s your Equator that you’re having issues with, we’ve got the mechanics online that with a little bit of information over a chat box, can solve anything for you.
You’re able to explain the problems you are having with your car, ask Ford mechanics limitless questions, and even upload photos and videos so you are able to show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk to them by means of online chat or by telephone call, whichever you prefer. The Ford mechanic will help you identify the problem, guide you on what are the best options for your specific scenario and even assist you through basic maintenance and repair work every step of the way.
So feel free to try out our talk to a Ford mechanic online for free service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
To wrap up, when your Ford Equator will not start, it will likely be a total downer and an enormous hassle. However, understanding what might be causing the problems, being able to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are required in each case, and where to get help if required, will be a huge help. Keep in mind that routine maintenance is crucial for avoiding the vast majority of car issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Equator will not start?
First of all, don’t panic. Try to identify any signs that might indicate an issue, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The reason for the issue is most likely among the most common causes gone over in this guide. You will need the assistance of a mechanic locally or online if you can’t find the problem yourself.
How to tell if my Ford Equator won’t start because of the battery?
Indications of a battery problem in a Equator include the engine being slow to crank, dim headlights, and lit battery warning lights on the dash. You can also check the battery terminals to see if they are clean, not corroded, and tightly connected. If the battery is old or weak, it may be best to just change it.
How can I prevent my Ford Equator not starting issues?
In order to make sure this inconvenience never happens again, routine upkeep is essential. This includes things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and getting your Ford Equator checked by a mechanic routinely. It’s also a terrific idea to drive the vehicle routinely so the battery stays charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Equator will not start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can provide instant professional Ford mechanic help and recommendations, without you needing to leave your home. If your Ford Equator won’t start and is stuck in the driveway, this is especially useful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Equator fails to start?
We connect you with licensed specialist Ford mechanics who can offer suggestions on your particular scenario. You can tell them about your car issues, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can correctly show the problem and describe it fully. The mechanic will have the ability to assist, troubleshoot, identify the problem, suggest the very best course of action and guide you along the way.
