Intro
Let's face it, we've all been there, you've got places to be, you get in your Ford Five Hundred, turn the key, and … drum roll please … nothing at all! Your Five Hundred won't start! This an incredibly irritating circumstance, however, don't stress, we've got you covered. There are lots and lots of causes as to why your Ford Five Hundred refuses to start, and within this article, to spare you time we'll cover the most typical explanations along with provide you with practical options to get your vehicle back on the road in no time!
Understanding the Problem
Before we get stuck into the causes and solutions it's essential to initially have a grasp of the problem. When you realize to yourself “My Ford Five Hundred won't start”, this could be because of an array of things being wrong with your car. Maybe it’s a case where the engine is not starting at all, possibly it is turning over partially however then not starting, or maybe it's making a clicking noise when you try to start the engine, however ultimately absolutely nothing happens. Each of these situations can be a sign of different problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Five Hundred Won't Start
There are various reasons a Five Hundred won't start. These problems usually consist of a dead or weak vehicle battery, a broken alternator, starter motor failures, fuel system failures, along with electrical or wiring failures. Every one of these problems can manifest as various symptoms and require separate solutions to identify and resolve, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Ford Five Hundred That Won't Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these signs, will assist you in discovering the root cause of the issue. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound but your Ford still can't start, it is often an indication that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system of your car.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Five Hundred Won't Start
The first step to discovering a practical solution to the problem is getting to grips with the underlying cause of that issue, so let's dig into the most common factors why your Five Hundred will not start.
Ford Five Hundred Battery Issues
In the majority of cases, the most common reason why your Ford Five Hundred won't start is often the result of your battery, it's either weak or dead, and you need to either recharge your car's battery or replace it. The car's battery supplies the electric required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Ford Five Hundred. Signs of a weak or dead battery problem in a Five Hundred, can be things like the vehicle being slow to crank the engine, poorly lit headlights, or a lit-up battery warning light on your car's dashboard.
Ford Five Hundred 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 Five Hundred from starting as it will not have the ability to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will be drained fairly quickly until it's dead and you don't realize it until you get in your Five Hundred and it won't start. Signs that your Five Hundreds alternator may be faulty include 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 Five Hundred Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking) when you start up your Ford. If the starter motor is defective in some manner then the engine may not crank, and your Five Hundred can't start. You can find out if your starter motor has an issue or not often by listening for a clicking noise when you turn the key or a grinding noise throughout the start-up, or your vehicle only starts intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Five Hundred Fuel System Complications
Now we're not talking about when you simply run out of gas here, but the fuel system itself having complications. Your Ford Five Hundred uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it requires a combination of both fuel and air. If your Five Hundred issues are part of a faulty fuel system, this can sometimes be a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump relay, which could mean the engine may not be receiving the fuel it requires to get the car going.
Ford Five Hundred Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Ford Five Hundreds rely greatly on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially have an issue. Even in an older car, you can still have regular issues such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a broken ignition switch, or a broken sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons that your Ford Five Hundred won't get started. Symptoms of a wiring or electrical issue can differ vastly however can often include the engine not cranking, or your Five Hundred can start however just intermittently or numerous alert lights show on the dashboard. To correctly diagnose and repair these kinds of problems, you will require the abilities of an experienced car mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
As soon as you have diagnosed what the cause of your car being unable to start is. The next logical step is obviously to attempt to repair it. Here are some pointers for the common problems we've covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Five Hundred
If it’s a battery issue you suspect is the problem, then the first thing you should do is examine the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If you find that the terminals are corroded you can try to clean them up with a mix of baking soda and water. If the battery is just old or weak, you will have to replace it, otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the vehicle, it will probably deplete quickly again in the not so distant future. You can make use of a multimeter as a battery tester to find out if it’s worth saving or if it needs to be changed for a new one. You can ask a reliable car mechanic online or in your area to best advise you on this.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Five Hundred
If you’re thinking that the alternator is the cause of your car starting problems, 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 car run, and while it's running, disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. It's most likely the result of a problem with the alternator if you find your Ford Five Hundred dies instantly when you disconnect the positive terminal. You should be aware however that this method can be dangerous, and may damage the sensitive electronic parts in your Ford Five Hundred, so it's best to seek advice from an expert car mechanic locally or online, prior to ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Five Hundred
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 most likely an issue with your starter motor. In these cases, the solution is to have the starter motor changed for a new one by a professional mechanic.
How to Solve Fuel System Complications in a Ford Five Hundred
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 should be able to hear a humming noise for a couple of seconds. If you are unable 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 poor acceleration, it might be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely require a professional car mechanic in order to effectively repair.
How to Repair Electrical or Wiring Issues in a Ford Five Hundred
If you think it's a circuitry or electrical system issue, first check the fuses related to the ignition system, and change any that have blown. If your Ford Five Hundred starts after this, then it was a successful, simple and cheap fix! Nevertheless, if the car refuses to start, even intermittently it might be a problem with the ignition switch itself. If various warning lights show up on your dashboard, it could be because of a damaged sensor. These problems can be really complex and a professional car mechanic is likely required to identify and have it properly repaired.
Preventive Steps
As my dad always stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to make sure you prevent any Ford Five Hundred starting difficulties ever again!
Regular Upkeep of Your Ford Five Hundred:
Routine maintenance of your Ford Five Hundred is of the utmost importance to avoid future difficulties. This includes things like routine oil changes, inspecting the battery, cleaning up the terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and having your vehicle examined by a professional car mechanic regularly. You can consult a mechanic locally or online if you find yourself uncertain or confused about the routine maintenance tasks needed for your particular vehicle.
Drive Your Ford Five Hundred Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Five Hundred off for long periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery can drain as it's not being charged up by the engine being in use. Try your best to drive your vehicle frequently 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 haven't driven your Ford in a while. Worth noting: letting the battery totally 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 uncommon noises, a difference in driving and performance, or alert lights lit up on the dash, do not disregard them. These are usually early signs of an issue and are best being addressed ASAP so that they don’t become bigger problems down the line. Speak to a car mechanic locally or online about these problems 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 a professional Ford mechanic on hand to guide and to advise you, or you've attempted to resolve it by yourself, however in spite of your best efforts your Ford can't start, then chatting with a Ford mechanic online can be a terrific choice. It certainly beats googling things like “Ford starts after jump but wont start again” all day and still getting no where.
Advantages of an Online Ford Mechanic
Online mechanic services, like ours in the bottom right of this page, provide numerous benefits. You can get professional Ford mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly helpful if your vehicle will not start and is stuck in the driveway. You can also save money as online mechanic consultations are much cheaper than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get answers quickly, which is terrific if you're in a hurry, require a 2nd opinion, or you simply prefer having an expert Ford mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Help You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with licensed expert mechanics who can provide instantaneous assistance, guidance and suggestions with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn't matter if your Ford Fiesta won't start or it's your Five Hundred 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 issues 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 speak with them by means of online chat or by telephone call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic will help you detect the issue, guide you on the best course of action for your specific scenario and even assist you through easy maintenance and repair work every step of the way.
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Conclusion
To wrap up, when your Ford Five Hundred wont start, it will likely be a major downer and a massive inconvenience. However, having an understanding of what may be causing the problems, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what steps are needed in each case, and where to get help if required, will be a big help. Keep in mind that regular upkeep is essential for preventing all kinds of vehicle problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Five Hundred won't start?
To start with, do not panic. Attempt to identify any signs that could show a problem, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is most likely among the typical causes discussed in this guide. You will need the assistance of a mechanic locally or online if you can't find the issue yourself.
How to tell if my Ford Five Hundred won't start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Five Hundred 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. 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 Five Hundred not starting issues?
In order to make certain this inconvenience never ever happens once again, routine upkeep is key. This consists of things like oil changes, inspecting the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and getting your Ford Five Hundred checked by a mechanic frequently. It's also an excellent idea to drive the vehicle frequently so the battery stays charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Five Hundred fails to start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can offer immediate professional Ford mechanic help and advice, without you needing to leave your home. If your Ford Five Hundred won't start and is stuck in the driveway, this is particularly beneficial.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Five Hundred fails to start?
We link you with licensed professional Ford mechanics who can provide advice on your particular situation. You can inform them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can properly describe and show the issue. The mechanic will be able to help, troubleshoot, diagnose the issue, suggest the best course of action and guide you along the way.
