Introduction
As a licensed auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Excursions that won’t to start. And I can assure you, 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 no need for concern, 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 explanations why your Ford Excursion won’t start. I’ll discuss all the most common causes and you’ll understand how to diagnose each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll offer practical troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of hands-on experience, so you can get your Ford Excursion starting and driving again as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Excursion Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and solutions it’s essential to first comprehend the issue. When you hop into your car and realize “My Ford Excursion won’t start”, this could be because of a multitude of things being wrong with your car. Maybe it’s a case where the engine is not turning over at all, possibly it is cranking partially however then not starting, or possibly you can hear a clicking noise when you attempt to start the engine, however in the end absolutely nothing happens. Each of these scenarios can indicate different issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Excursion Won’t Start
There are various reasons that an Excursion fails to start. These problems usually consist of a dead or weak vehicle battery, a broken alternator, starter motor failures, fuel system problems, along with electrical or circuitry failures. Each one of these issues can manifest as different symptoms and require separate solutions to troubleshoot and fix, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Ford Excursion That Won’t Start
Being able to identify and diagnose these signs, will assist you in finding the root cause of the issue. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound however your vehicle still will not start, it can be an indication that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Excursion Won’t Start
The first step to figuring out a solution to the problem is getting to grips with the underlying cause of that problem, so let’s look into the most typical reasons your Excursion won’t start.
Ford Excursion Battery Issues
In most cases, the most common reason why your Ford Excursion will not start is, in many cases because of the battery, it’s either weak or dead, and you have to either recharge your car’s battery or change it. The car’s battery stores the power that’s needed to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Ford Excursion. Signs of a bad battery issue in a Excursion, are things like the vehicle being slow to crank the engine, dim or weak headlights, or a lit-up battery caution light on your car’s dashboard. 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 Excursion Alternator Problems
The alternator is responsible for charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A damaged alternator can certainly stop your Ford Excursion from starting as it won’t be able to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will drain all the way down until it’s totally dead and you only realize it when you can’t get your Ford to fire up. Symptoms that your Excursions alternator may be faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator warning light on the dash, poorly lit headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding sound from the engine while it’s running.
Ford Excursion Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor handles turning the engine over (cranking) when you start your Ford. If the starter motor is faulty in some way then the engine won’t crank, and your Excursion can’t start. You can find out if your starter motor has a problem or not typically by listening for a clicking noise when you turn the key or a grinding sound throughout the startup, or your vehicle starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Excursion Fuel System Complications
Now we’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but your car’s fuel system itself having issues. Your Ford Excursion uses a combustion engine, andfor that reason to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Excursion problems are the result of a faulty fuel system, this can sometimes be a clogged fuel filter or a faulty fuel pump relay, which could suggest 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 Excursion Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Ford Excursions rely heavily on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially break. Even in an older car, you can still have regular problems such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a damaged ignition switch, or a faulty sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons your vehicle will not get started. Symptoms of a wiring or electrical issue can vary greatly but can often include the engine not cranking, or your Excursion can start but only intermittently or numerous alert lights come on the car’s dash. To properly identify and repair these kinds of issues, you will require the skills of a skilled car mechanic in your area or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
Once you have found out what the cause of your car being unable to start is. The next logical step is of course to attempt to repair it. Here are some suggestions for the common issues we’ve covered up until now.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Excursion
If you think it’s possibl a battery problem is the reason your Excursion has trouble starting, then the first thing you must do is inspect around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and tightly connected. If you find that the terminals are indeed 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 Excursion’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, if the battery is old or weak, you will have to replace it. Otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the Ford Excursion, it will probably deplete quickly once again in the not so distant 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 replacing. 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 Excursion, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
Robby Recommends:
Portable Car Battery Jump Starter Charger - NOCO Boost Plus GB40
- Start Dead Batteries
- Multi-Function
- UltraSafe
At Home Battery Charger - YONHAN - Fully Automatic
- Charging Protection
- 12V and 24V
- Charging Protection
Jumper Cables by Energizer for Car Battery - Heavy Duty
- Thick Vinyl Coating
- Ideal For All Vehicles
- All Weather Use
NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter
- Start Dead Batteries
- Multi-Function
- UltraSafe
YONHAN Battery Charger Fully-Automatic
- Charging Protection
- 12V and 24V
- Charging Protection
Energizer Jumper Cables for Car Battery, Heavy Duty
- Thick Vinyl Coating
- Ideal For All Vehicles
- All Weather Use
If charging your Excursion’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 On site auto repairs.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Excursion
If you’re thinking that the alternator is the cause of your car starting troubles, you can test it. 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 notice your Ford Excursion is dying immediately, then it’s probably due to an issue with the alternator. You should be aware however that this method can be risky and dangerous, and may damage the delicate electronic elements in your Ford Excursion, so it’s necessary to consult with a professional car mechanic locally or online, before ever attempting this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Excursion
If you suspect the starter motor is the cause of your Ford Excursion refusing to start up, listen for a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition. In these cases, the solution is to have the starter motor changed for a new one by a professional mechanic.
How to Deal With Fuel System Issues in a Ford Excursion
If you suspect the issue to be because of a fuel system problem, try and listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting the vehicle. You should be able to hear a humming sound for a few seconds. If you are unable to hear this noise, then it might be there is a problem with the fuel pump. If you discover your Ford is tough to start, it stalls, or it has poor acceleration, it could possibly be because of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely require a reliable car mechanic in order to effectively repair. 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 Fix Electrical or Wiring Problems in a Ford Excursion
If you think it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system problem, initially inspect the fuses associated with the ignition system, and change any that have blown. If your Ford Excursion starts after this, then it was an effective, simple and low-cost fix! If the car does not start, even intermittently, it might be a sign of a problem with the ignition switch itself. If various warning lights show up on your dashboard, it might be a problematic sensor. These issues can be very complex and a professional car mechanic is most likely needed to identify and repair it. They will probably need tools like a multimeter and OBD2 scanner to test wiring and pinpoint electrical gremlins.
Preventive Steps
As my father always said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to make sure you can avoid any Ford Excursion starting troubles ever again!
Regular Maintenance of Your Ford Excursion:
Routine upkeep of your Ford Excursion is of the utmost importance to avoiding future troubles. This includes things like routine oil changes, inspecting the battery, cleaning the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as suggested/required, and having your car inspected by a professional car mechanic routinely. If you are not sure about routine upkeep tasks needed for your specific car, you can consult a mechanic in your area or online.
Drive Your Ford Excursion Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Ford Excursion stagnant for extended periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery can drain as it’s not getting any charge from the engine being used. Try your best to drive your Excursion regularly to keep the battery from draining. Take it for a fast spin to make sure there is still charge in the battery if you remember you have not driven your Ford in a while. Worth noting: letting the battery completely drain, is also damaging to the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you notice anything weird like unusual noises, changes in driving and performance, or warning lights showing on the dash, don’t disregard them and get on with your day. These are usually early indications of an issue and are best being attended to ASAP so that they don’t become bigger problems down the line. Talk to a car mechanic in your area or online about these warning symbols and get advice on if they need to be attended to.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you’re either short on time, want a professional Ford mechanic on hand helping and advising you, or you’ve tried to solve it for yourself, but despite your best efforts your car fails to start, then talking with a Ford mechanic online can be a fantastic choice. It certainly beats googling things like “Ford wont start in cold clicking noise” all day and still getting nowhere.
Benefits of an Online Ford Mechanic
Online mechanic services, like ours in the bottom right of this page, offer numerous benefits. You can get expert Ford mechanic advice 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is particularly helpful if your vehicle will not 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 the answer rapidly, which is excellent if you’re in a rush, require a 2nd opinion, or you simply like having a professional Ford mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with accredited expert mechanics who can provide instantaneous aid, guidance and advice with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Everest won’t start or it’s your Excursion 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 images and videos so you are able to show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk with them via online chat or by telephone call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic will help you detect the problem, advise you on what are the best options for your specific circumstance and even guide you through simple maintenance and repairs step by step.
So feel free to try out our ask Ford mechanic now service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
To wrap up, when your Ford Excursion will not start, it can be a complete downer and an enormous hassle. However, understanding what might be causing the issues, being able to troubleshoot them, and knowing what steps are required in each case, and where to get help if needed, will be a substantial help. Bear in mind that regular upkeep is key to avoiding the vast majority of vehicle issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Excursion can’t start?
Firstly, do not panic. Attempt to identify any symptoms that might suggest a problem, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is likely among the main causes talked about in this guide. If you can’t find the issue yourself, you will need the assistance of a Ford mechanic locally or online.
How to tell if my Ford Excursion won’t start because of the battery?
Indications of a battery issue in a Excursion consist of 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. It may be best to just replace it if the battery is old or weak.
How can I prevent my Ford Excursion not starting issues?
In order to ensure this inconvenience never ever takes place again, routine upkeep is crucial. This includes things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and having your Ford Excursion inspected by a mechanic routinely. It’s also a terrific idea to drive the car regularly so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Excursion can’t start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can offer immediate specialist Ford mechanic help and advice, without you needing to leave your home. If your Ford Excursion will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is especially helpful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Excursion can’t start?
We link you with certified expert Ford mechanics who can supply suggestions on your particular circumstance. You can inform them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can effectively demonstrate the problem and describe it fully. The mechanic will be able to assist, troubleshoot, identify the issue, recommend the very best course of action and guide you along the way.
