Introduction
As a certified Auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Falcons that refuse 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 … nada!
But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to walk you through the most frequent causes why your Ford Falcon won’t start. I’ll discuss all the most common causes and you’ll learn how to diagnose each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll provide hands-on troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of hands-on experience, so you can get your Ford Falcon starting and back on the road as quickly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Falcon Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and solutions it’s crucial to initially comprehend the problem. When you hop into your car and realize “My Ford Falcon won’t start”, this could be due to a multitude of issues being wrong with your vehicle. Maybe it’s a case where the engine is not turning over at all, possibly it is turning over partially however then not starting, or perhaps it’s making a clicking noise when you attempt to start the engine, but in the end nothing happens. Each of these cases can be a sign of various issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Falcon Won’t Start
There are various reasons that a Falcon fails to start up. These concerns usually consist of a dead or weak vehicle battery, a broken alternator, starter motor issues, fuel system complications, along with electrical or wiring failures. Each one of these problems can manifest as different symptoms and require separate solutions to detect and repair, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Ford Falcon That Won’t Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these signs, will assist you in finding the underlying cause of the problem. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound but your Ford still refuses to start, it is often a sign that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Falcon Won’t Start
The initial step to discovering a solution to the problem is understanding the root cause of that issue, so let’s explore the most common causes as to why your Falcon won’t start.
Ford Falcon Battery Issues
In most cases, the most common reason why your Ford Falcon will not start is, in many cases because of the battery, it’s either weak or dead, and you need to either recharge your car’s battery or change it. The vehicle’s battery stores the electricity required to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Ford Falcon. Symptoms of a weak or dead battery problem in a Falcon, are things like the vehicle being sluggish to crank the engine, poorly lit headlights, or a lit-up battery alert 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 Falcon Alternator Problems
The alternator is for charging the battery from the engine while the car is running. A broken alternator can certainly stop your Ford Falcon from starting as it won’t have the ability to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will be drained fairly quickly until it’s completely drained and you only realize it when you can’t get your Ford started. Signs that your car’s alternator may be faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dashboard, dim headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding noise from the engine while it’s running.
Ford Falcon Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Ford Falcon, the starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is failing in some manner then the engine is not going to crank, and your Falcon won’t start. You can find out 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 throughout the start-up, or your vehicle starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Falcon Fuel System Complications
Now we’re not talking about when you simply run out of gas here, but your car’s fuel system itself having complications. Your Ford Falcon uses a combustion engine, andfor that reason to start and run, it requires a mix of enough fuel and air. If your Falcon issues are because of a faulty fuel system, this might be a clogged fuel filter or a faulty fuel pump relay, which could suggest the engine might not be receiving the fuel it requires to get the vehicle up and running. 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 Falcon Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Ford Falcons rely greatly on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially go wrong. Even in an older car, you can still have fairly normal problems such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a broken ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons your car will not start. Signs of a circuitry or electrical problem can vary greatly however can typically include the engine not cranking, or your Falcon can start however just intermittently or numerous alert lights are lit up on the dashboard. To correctly diagnose and fix these kinds of problems, you will need the abilities of an experienced car mechanic in your area or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have found out what the cause of your car being unable to start is. The next step is naturally to attempt to fix it. Here are some pointers for the common problems we’ve covered so far.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Falcon
If you think it’s possibl a battery problem is the reason why your Falcon 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 find 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 Falcon’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 Falcon, it will likely 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 to be changed 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 Falcon, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Falcon’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 At home auto repairs.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Falcon
If the alternator is what you suspect is the offender, 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 Falcon is dying instantly, then it’s most likely due to a problem with your car’s alternator. You should be aware however that this method can be risky and dangerous, and might damage the sensitive electronic parts in your Ford Falcon, so it’s best to seek advice from an experienced car mechanic locally or online, prior to ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Falcon
If you hear the clicking sound when you try and start the car by turning the key, however the engine doesn’t crank, then its probably a problem with your starter motor. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Deal With Fuel System Issues in a Ford Falcon
If you suspect the issue to be because of a fuel system problem, listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting up the car. You ought to hear a humming sound for a couple of seconds. If you are not able to hear this sound, then it may be there is an issue with the fuel pump. If you notice your Ford is tough to start, it stalls, or it has weak acceleration, it might be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a reliable car mechanic in order to effectively 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 Issues in a Ford Falcon
If you suspect it’s a circuitry or electrical system problem, first check the fuses associated with the ignition system, and change any that have actually blown. If your Ford Falcon starts after this, then it was a successful, easy and inexpensive repair! However, if the vehicle doesn’t start, even intermittently it might be a problem with the ignition switch itself. It could be a faulty sensing unit if different warning lights are lit up on your dashboard. These issues can be really complex and a professional car mechanic is likely needed to diagnose 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 stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to make sure you can avoid any Ford Falcon starting difficulties ever again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Ford Falcon:
Regular maintenance of your Ford Falcon is of the utmost importance to preventing future difficulties. This includes things like regular oil changes, checking your car battery, cleaning the terminals, changing the fuel filter as suggested/required, and having your vehicle inspected by a reliable car mechanic routinely. You can speak with a mechanic locally or online if you find yourself unsure or not sure about the regular upkeep tasks required for your specific automobile.
Drive Your Ford Falcon Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Falcon stagnant for extended periods of time without driving it, the battery can drain as it’s not receiving any electrical charge from the engine running being in use. Try to drive your vehicle frequently to keep the battery full of juice. If you remember you haven’t driven your vehicle in a while, take it for a spin to make sure there is still 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 notice anything out of the ordinary like unusual sounds, changes in how it drives and the performance, or warning lights showing on the dash, don’t just disregard them. These can be early warnings of an issue and it’s best to be addressed ASAP so that they don’t end up being larger issues down the line. Speak to a car mechanic in your area or online about these warning lights and get advice on if they need to be resolved.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you’re either limited on time, would like an expert Ford mechanic on hand helping and advising you, or you have tried to fix it by yourself, but in spite of your best efforts your Falcon fails to start, then chatting with a Ford mechanic online can be a fantastic option. It certainly beats googling things like “Ford wont start no power at all” 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, provide numerous advantages. You can get skilled Ford mechanic guidance 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is especially helpful if your vehicle won’t start and is stuck in the driveway. It can also help you save money as online mechanic consultations are much cheaper than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get responses rapidly, which is excellent if you’re in a hurry, need a second opinion, or you just like having a professional Ford mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with certified specialist mechanics who can supply instantaneous aid, guidance and suggestions with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Explorer Sport Trac won’t start or it’s your Falcon 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 have the ability to explain the problems you are having with your car, ask Ford mechanics unlimited questions, and even upload photos and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can speak with them by means of online chat or by telephone call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic will help you diagnose the issue, advise you on what are the best options for your individual situation and even guide you through basic maintenance and repair work step by step.
So feel free to try out our call a Ford mechanic for free advice service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
In summary, when your Ford Falcon will not start, it will likely be a total bummer and an enormous hassle. However, having an understanding of what might be triggering the issues, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are required in each case, and where to get help if required, will be a substantial help. Keep in mind that routine upkeep is crucial for preventing the vast majority of vehicle problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Falcon can’t start?
To start with, don’t panic. Try to identify any signs that might suggest an issue, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the issue is likely among the most common 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 Falcon won’t start because of the battery?
Indications of a battery problem in a Falcon 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 securely connected. If the battery is old or weak, it may be best to just swap it for a newer one.
How can I prevent my Ford Falcon not starting issues?
In order to ensure this inconvenience never happens once again, regular maintenance is crucial. This consists of things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and having your Ford Falcon inspected by a mechanic regularly. It’s also a fantastic idea to drive the vehicle frequently so the battery stays charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Falcon fails to start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can offer immediate specialist Ford mechanic help and suggestions, without you having to leave your house. If your Ford Falcon will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is particularly beneficial.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Falcon won’t start?
We link you with certified specialist Ford mechanics who can provide advice on your specific situation. You can inform them about your vehicle issues, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can effectively demonstrate the problem and explain it. The mechanic will be able to assist, troubleshoot, diagnose the issue, recommend the very best course of action and guide you along the way.
