Intro
As a licensed Auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Probes 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 at all!
But fear not, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to walk you through the most usual explanations why your Ford Probe won’t start. I’ll cover 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 offer practical troubleshooting tips and repair solutions based on my two decades of practical experience, so you can get your Ford Probe starting and back on the road as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Probe Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it’s crucial to first have an understanding of the issue. When you realize to yourself “My Ford Probe won’t start”, this could be due to a multitude of issues being wrong with your car. Perhaps the engine is not turning over at all, potentially it is cranking partially but then not starting, or possibly you can hear a clicking noise when you try to start the engine, but in the end nothing happens. Each of these circumstances can be a sign of different problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Probe Won’t Start
There are many reasons a Probe won’t start up. These problems usually include a dead or weak vehicle battery, a faulty alternator, starter motor problems, fuel system failures, as well as electrical or wiring failures. Each one of these issues can show up 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 Probe That Won’t Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these symptoms, will help you in discovering the underlying cause of the issue. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking noise but your Ford still can’t start, it is often a sign that there is a problem with the fuel or ignition system of your car.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Probe Won’t Start
The very first step to finding a practical solution to the issue is having a grasp of the root cause of that issue, so let’s look into the most typical factors why your Probe won’t start.
Ford Probe Battery Issues
In most cases, the most common reason why your Ford Probe won’t start is often down to a bad battery, it’s either weak or dead, and you have to either charge up the battery or replace it. The vehicle’s battery provides the electric required to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Ford Probe. Symptoms of a bad battery problem in a Probe, can be things like the vehicle being sluggish to crank the engine, dim or weak headlights, or a lit-up battery alert light on the 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 Probe 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 Probe from starting as it wont have the ability to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will drain fairly quickly till it’s dead and you only realize it when you get into your beloved Probe and it refuses to start. Symptoms that your Probes 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 sound from the engine while it’s running.
Ford Probe Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking) when you start up your Ford. If the starter motor is broken in some manner then the engine may not crank, and your Probe will not start. You can find out if your starter motor has an issue or not usually 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 only starts intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Probe Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but your car’s fuel system itself having problems. Your Ford Probe uses a combustion engine, and, therefore, to start and run, it needs a combination of both fuel and air. If your Probe problems are because of a faulty fuel system, this might be a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump relay, which could suggest the engine might not be receiving 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 Probe Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Ford Probes rely greatly on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially break. Even in an older model, you can still have typical 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 many electrical reasons that your car can’t get started. Symptoms of a wiring or electrical problem can vary vastly however can often include the engine not cranking, or your Probe can start but just intermittently or some alert lights come on the car’s dash. To effectively identify and fix these kinds of problems, you will require the abilities of a skilled car mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have diagnosed what the cause of your car troubles are. The next step is obviously to try and fix it. Here are some suggestions for the common problems we’ve covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Probe
If you think it’s possibl a battery issue is the reason your Probe has trouble starting, then the first thing you must do is check around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly 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 Probe’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 Probe, it will probably deplete quickly once again in the not so distant future. You can make use of 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 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 Probe, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Probe’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 Come to you car repair.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Probe
If you’re thinking that the alternator is the cause of your car starting problems, you can test it to see for yourself. If you can get the car 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 the battery. It’s most likely the result of an issue with your car’s alternator if you discover your Ford Probe dies right away when you disconnect the positive terminal. However, be warned this test can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, and may damage the delicate electronic elements in your Ford Probe, so in this case best to speak with a professional mechanic in your area or online, prior to ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Probe
It’s likely an issue with your starter motor if you are able to hear the clicking sound, however the engine does not crank. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Solve Fuel System Problems in a Ford Probe
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 up the car. You should be able to hear a humming sound for a few seconds. If you are not able to hear this noise, then it might be there is cause for concern with the fuel pump. If you observe your Ford is hard to start, it stalls, or it has poor acceleration, it might be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a professional car mechanic in order to properly 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 Issues in a Ford Probe
If you think it’s a wiring or electrical system problem, first examine the fuses associated with the ignition system, and replace any that have actually blown. If your Probe starts after this, then it was an effective, easy and inexpensive fix! If the car does not start, even intermittently, it could be a sign of a problem with the ignition switch itself. It might be a faulty sensing unit if different warning lights are lit up on the dash. These issues can be extremely intricate and a reliable car mechanic is likely required 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 stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to make sure you avoid any Ford Probe starting troubles ever again!
Regular Maintenance of Your Ford Probe:
Routine upkeep of your Ford Probe is essential to avoiding future difficulties. This includes things like regular oil changes, checking your car battery, cleaning up the terminals, changing the fuel filter as suggested/needed, and of course having your vehicle checked by a reliable car mechanic routinely. You can seek advice from a mechanic locally or online if you are unsure or confused about the routine upkeep jobs required for your specific car.
Drive Your Ford Probe Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Probe stagnant for long durations of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery may deplete down as it’s not being charged up by the engine being in use. Try your best to drive your Probe 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 ensure there is still a charge in the battery. Worth noting: letting the battery completely drain, is also damaging for the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you observe anything out of the ordinary like unusual noises, a difference in driving and performance, or alert lights lit up on your Ford Probes dashboard, do not disregard them and get on with your day. These are usually early warnings of an issue and it’s best to be dealt with 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 addressed.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you want to save time, want an expert Ford mechanic on hand to guide and to advise you, or you’ve actually tried to solve it for yourself, however despite your best efforts your car will not start, then talking with a Ford mechanic online can be a terrific choice. It certainly beats googling things like “battery saver active Ford 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, provide several benefits. You can get skilled Ford mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly useful if your vehicle won’t start and is stuck in the driveway. You can also save money as online mechanic consultations are more affordable than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get responses quickly, which is terrific if you’re in a hurry, require a 2nd opinion, or you simply prefer having a specialist Ford mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with certified professional mechanics who can supply immediate aid, guidance and recommendations with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Mustang SVT Cobra won’t start or it’s your Probe 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 issues you are having with your car, ask Ford mechanics unlimited questions, and even submit pictures and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can speak to them by means of online chat or by telephone call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic will help you detect the problem, advise you on the best course of action for your individual circumstance and even assist you through easy maintenance and repairs step by step.
So feel free to try out our ask a Ford mechanic questions service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
To summarize, when your Ford Probe will not start, it will likely be a complete downer and an enormous inconvenience. However, knowing what might be triggering 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 big help. Keep in mind that routine upkeep is essential for preventing all vehicle issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Probe will not start?
First off, don’t panic. Attempt to identify any signs that might indicate an issue, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is likely among the main causes discussed in this guide. If you can’t find the problem yourself, you will need the help of a Ford mechanic in your area or online.
How to tell if my Ford Probe won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Probe 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 firmly connected. It may be best to just change it if the battery is old or weak.
How can I prevent my Ford Probe not starting issues?
In order to make sure this annoyance never ever happens again, routine maintenance is key. This includes things like oil changes, examining the battery and cleaning its terminals, replacing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and having your Ford Probe checked by a mechanic frequently. It’s also an excellent idea to drive the car regularly so the battery stays charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Probe won’t start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can supply instantaneous expert Ford mechanic help and suggestions, without you having to leave your house. If your Ford Probe will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is especially useful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Probe won’t start?
We link you with licensed expert Ford mechanics who can offer suggestions on your specific circumstance. You can inform them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can appropriately explain and show the problem. The mechanic will be able to assist, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, recommend the best course of action and guide you along the way.
