Intro
As a professional Auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Figos that won’t to start. And let me tell you, I understand how annoying it can be when you’ve got places to go, you hop in, turn the key, and … drum roll please … nada!
But no need for concern, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to walk you through the most common explanations why your Ford Figo won’t start. I’ll discuss 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 provide practical troubleshooting tips and repair solutions based on my two decades of first-hand experience, so you can get your Ford Figo starting and driving again as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Figo Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it’s crucial to initially have an understanding of the problem. When you hop into your car and realize “My Ford Figo won’t start”, this could be because of an array of issues being wrong with your car. Maybe the engine is not cranking at all, potentially it is turning over partially but then not starting, or maybe you can hear a clicking noise when you try to start the engine, however in the end absolutely nothing happens. Each of these situations can be a sign of different problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Figo Won’t Start
There are many reasons a Figo can’t start. These concerns usually include a dead or weak vehicle battery, a faulty alternator, starter motor failures, fuel system failures, in addition to electrical or wiring issues. Each one of these issues can manifest as a multitude of symptoms and require separate solutions to detect and fix, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Ford Figo That Won’t Start
Having the ability to recognize and diagnose these signs, will help you in finding the underlying cause of the issue. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound but your car still will not start, it can be a sign that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Figo Won’t Start
The initial step to figuring out a solution to the problem is getting to grips with the underlying cause of that problem, so let’s delve into the most common factors why your Figo fails to start.
Ford Figo Battery Issues
In the vast majority of cases, the most common reason why your Ford Figo can’t start is, in many cases down to a bad battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you need to either charge your car’s battery or replace it. The vehicle’s battery provides the electricity required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Ford Figo. Symptoms of a bad battery issue in a Figo, can be things like the car being sluggish to crank the engine, poorly lit headlights, or a lit-up battery warning light on the 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 Figo Alternator Problems
The alternator is for charging the battery from the engine while the car is running. A broken alternator can easily stop your Ford Figo from starting as it won’t be able to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will drain all the way down till it’s completely drained and you only realize it when you get in your Figo and it won’t start. Signs that your car’s alternator is 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 sound from the engine while it’s running.
Ford Figo Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking) when you start your Ford. If the starter motor is damaged in some manner then the engine will not crank, and your Figo will not start. You can find out if your starter motor has an issue or not typically by listening, if you hear a clicking noise when you turn the key or a grinding noise throughout the startup, or your vehicle starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Figo 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 issues. Your Ford Figo uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Figo problems are the result of a faulty fuel system, this can be a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump relay, which could mean the engine might not be getting the fuel it needs 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 Figo Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Ford Figos rely greatly on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially break and cause problems. Even in an older model, you can still have regular issues such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a broken ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be a few of the various electrical explanations as to why your Ford Figo can’t get started. Symptoms of a circuitry or electrical issue can differ widely but can typically include the engine not cranking, or your Figo can start however only intermittently or numerous alert lights are lit up on the car’s dash. To effectively diagnose and repair 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 figured out what the reason for your car failing to start is. The next step is of course to attempt to repair it. Here are some suggestions for the common issues we’ve covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Figo
If you suspect it’s possibl a battery issue is the culprit as to why your Figo has trouble starting, then the first thing you should do is examine around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If you happen to find that the terminals are corroded you can try cleaning them 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 Figo’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 Figo, it will likely die 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 find out 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 Figo, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Figo’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 Driveway mechanics.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Figo
If the alternator is what you suspect is the perpetrator, 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 when it’s going, let the car run, and while the engine is running, disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. It’s most likely because of a problem with the alternator if you discover your Ford Figo dies instantly when you disconnect the positive terminal. However, be warned this test can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing, and may harm the sensitive electronic components in your Ford Figo, so in this case best to talk to an experienced mechanic locally or online, prior to ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Figo
If you hear the clicking sound when you try and start the car by turning the key, but the engine doesn’t crank, then its most likely an issue with your starter motor. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Fix Fuel System Issues in a Ford Figo
If you think 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 the car. You should be able to hear a humming noise for a couple of seconds. If you are unable to hear this noise, then it might be there is an issue with the fuel pump. If you notice your Ford is tough to start, it stalls, or it has bad acceleration, it could be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely require a professional car mechanic in order to properly 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 Figo
If you suspect it’s a circuitry or electrical system issue, first inspect the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have actually blown. If your Ford Figo starts after this, then it was a successful, simple and low-cost fix! If the car doesn’t start, even intermittently, it might be an issue with the ignition switch itself. If different warning lights are noticeable on your dashboard, it might be due to a broken sensor. These problems can be very intricate and a professional car mechanic is likely needed to diagnose and have it properly repaired. 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 the best ways to make sure you avoid any Ford Figo starting difficulties again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Ford Figo:
Routine maintenance of your Ford Figo is key to avoid future problems. This includes things like regular oil changes, checking your car battery, cleaning up the terminals, changing the fuel filter as advised/needed, and having your car inspected by a reliable car mechanic routinely. If you are not sure about routine upkeep tasks needed for your particular automobile, you can seek advice from a mechanic in your area or online.
Drive Your Ford Figo Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Figo in the driveway for extended periods of time without driving it, the battery may waste out of charge as it’s not receiving any electrical charge from the engine running being used. Try to drive your vehicle regularly to keep the battery charged up. Take it for a quick 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 fully drain, is also damaging to the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you notice anything odd like unusual noises, changes in how it drives and the performance, or warning lights showing on your Ford Figos dashboard, don’t just disregard them and get on with your day. These can be early indications of an issue and it’s best to be dealt with ASAP so that they don’t end up being larger issues later. Speak to a car mechanic locally or online about these issues and get advice on if they need to be attended to.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you want to save time, would like a professional Ford mechanic on hand assisting and advising you, or you’ve tried to solve it for yourself, however in spite of your best efforts your car can’t start, then chatting with a Ford mechanic online can be an excellent choice. It certainly beats googling things like “Ford overheated and wont start” 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 a number of advantages. You can get expert Ford mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly helpful if your car will not start and is stuck in the driveway. You can also save money as online mechanic consultations are much more affordable than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get answers rapidly, which is excellent if you’re in a rush, need a 2nd opinion, or you simply like having a specialist Ford mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with accredited professional mechanics who can supply immediate help, guidance and advice with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Festiva won’t start or it’s your Figo 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 describe 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 talk to them by means of online chat or by phone call, whichever you prefer. The Ford mechanic online will help you diagnose the issue, advise you on what are the best options for your individual situation and even assist you through basic maintenance and repair work step by step.
So feel free to try out our free ask a Ford mechanic service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
To wrap up, when your Ford Figo fails to start, it can be a major disappointment and a massive inconvenience. However, understanding what might be triggering the problems, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are needed in each case, and where to get help if needed, will be a huge help. Bear in mind that routine upkeep is crucial for preventing the majority of vehicle issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Figo will not start?
First off, don’t panic. Try to identify any signs that could indicate a problem, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is most likely among the most common causes gone over in this guide. You will need the assistance of a mechanic in your area or online if you can’t find the issue yourself.
How to tell if my Ford Figo won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Figo 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 firmly connected. If the battery is old or weak, it may be best to simply change it.
How can I prevent my Ford Figo not starting issues?
In order to ensure this annoyance never ever takes place again, routine upkeep is key. This consists of things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, replacing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and getting your Ford Figo checked by a mechanic often. It’s also a fantastic idea to drive the car regularly so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Figo can’t start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can supply immediate specialist Ford mechanic assistance and advice, without you having to leave your home. This is particularly beneficial if your car will not start and is stuck in the driveway.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Figo won’t start?
We connect you with accredited expert Ford mechanics who can supply recommendations on your specific situation. You can inform them about your car problems, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can appropriately demonstrate the problem and explain it. The mechanic will have the ability to help, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, recommend the best course of action and guide you along the way.
