Introduction
As a licensed Auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Pumas that refuse to start. And believe me, 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 don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to explain the most usual causes why your Ford Puma won’t start. I’ll cover 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 provide practical troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of first-hand experience, so you can get your Ford Puma starting and driving again as quickly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Puma Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it’s essential to first have an understanding of the problem. When you realize to yourself “My Ford Puma won’t start”, this could be because of a multitude of issues being wrong with your vehicle. Perhaps the engine is not starting at all, potentially it is cranking partially but then not starting, or possibly you can hear a clicking sound when you attempt to start the engine, but ultimately absolutely nothing happens. Each of these scenarios can be a sign of different issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Puma Won’t Start
There are various reasons that a Puma can’t start up. These issues usually consist of a weak or dead car battery, a bad alternator, starter motor problems, fuel system complications, as well as electrical or circuitry problems. Each one of these problems can show up as a multitude of symptoms and require different solutions to troubleshoot and resolve, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Ford Puma That Won’t Start
Being able to identify and diagnose these signs, will help you in discovering the underlying cause of the issue. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound but your Ford still will not start, it is often an indication that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Ford Puma Won’t Start
The initial step to discovering a solution to the issue is understanding the underlying cause of that problem, so let’s look into the most typical causes as to why your Puma won’t start.
Ford Puma Battery Issues
In the majority of cases, the most common reason why your Ford Puma will not start is often down to a bad battery, it’s either weak or dead, and you need to recharge the battery or change it. The car’s battery stores the electric required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Ford Puma. Signs of a bad battery issue in a Puma, are things like the vehicle being slow to crank the engine, poorly lit headlights, or a lit-up battery caution light on your car’s 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 Puma Alternator Problems
The alternator is responsible for charging the battery from the engine while the car is running. A broken alternator can certainly prevent your Ford Puma from starting as it wont be able to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will drain fairly quickly until it’s completely drained and you only realize it when you get in your Puma and it won’t start. Symptoms that your Pumas alternator is faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator warning 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 Puma Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Ford Puma, the starter motor handles turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is faulty in some manner then the engine is not going to crank, and your Puma will not start. You can find out if your starter motor has a problem or not often 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 car only starts intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Puma Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but the fuel system itself having complications. Your Ford Puma uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Puma problems are part of a faulty fuel system, this could 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 vehicle 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 Puma Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Ford Pumas rely heavily on electronics, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially fail. Even in an older model, you can still have typical problems such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a broken ignition switch, or a broken sensor, and more. These can be a few of the various electrical reasons your vehicle won’t start up. Symptoms of a circuitry or electrical problem can vary vastly however can often include the engine not cranking, or your Puma can start however just intermittently or numerous alert lights show on the car’s dash. To effectively diagnose and fix these kinds of problems, you will need the skills of an experienced car mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have diagnosed what the reason for your car being unable to start is. The next logical step is of course to try and repair 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 Puma
If you suspect it’s possibl a battery issue is the culprit as to why your Puma has trouble starting, then the first thing you need to do is inspect the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and tightly 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 Puma’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, you will need to replace the battery if it’s old or weak. Otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the vehicle, it will probably deplete quickly 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 replaced. 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 Puma, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Puma’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 repairs.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Puma
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 your car’s battery. If you notice your Ford Puma dies immediately, then it’s most likely because of an issue with the alternator. You should be aware however that this method can be risky, and might harm the delicate electronic parts in your Ford Puma, so it’s always best to consult with an experienced car mechanic in your area or online, prior to ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Puma
Listen for a clicking noise when you turn the ignition key if you think the starter motor is the cause of your Ford Puma not starting. 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 Puma
If you suspect the issue to be due to 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 couple of seconds. It might be there is a problem with the fuel pump if you are unable to hear this noise. If you discover your Ford is difficult to start, it stalls, or it has weak acceleration, it could be because of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely require a reliable car mechanic in order to correctly 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 Repair Electrical or Wiring Problems in a Ford Puma
If you suspect it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system problem, initially examine the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have actually blown. If your Ford Puma starts after this, then it was a successful, easy and inexpensive fix! If the car doesn’t start, even intermittently, it could be an issue with the ignition switch itself. It may be a faulty sensing unit if numerous warning lights are lit up on your dashboard. These problems can be extremely complex and a professional car mechanic is most 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 said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to ensure you can avoid any Ford Puma starting troubles again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Ford Puma:
Regular upkeep of your Ford Puma is essential to avoiding future difficulties. This consists of things like routine oil changes, checking the battery, cleaning the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as advised/required, and of course having your car inspected by a reliable car mechanic routinely. You can seek advice from a mechanic locally or online if you are unsure or needing further clarity about the routine maintenance tasks needed for your particular car.
Drive Your Ford Puma Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Puma in your garage for long periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery will run out of charge as it’s not being charged up by the engine running regularly. Try to drive your car regularly to keep the battery from draining. If you remember you have not driven your car in a while, take it for a spin to make certain there is still charge in the battery. Worth noting: letting the battery totally drain, is also damaging to the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
If you observe anything odd like unusual noises, changes in driving and performance, or warning lights lit up on your Ford Pumas dashboard, don’t ignore them. These are usually early warnings of an issue and are best being resolved ASAP so that they don’t end up being bigger problems down the line. Speak to a car mechanic locally or online about these warning lights and find out if they need to be addressed.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you’re either limited on time, would like a professional Ford mechanic on hand helping and advising you, or you’ve actually tried to fix it by yourself, however despite your best efforts your vehicle will not start, then chatting with a Ford mechanic online can be a fantastic option. It certainly beats googling things like “bad fuel pressure regulator 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, offer a number of advantages. You can get professional Ford mechanic advice 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is particularly beneficial if your car won’t 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 the answer quickly, which is terrific if you’re in a hurry, need a 2nd opinion, or you just prefer having a specialist Ford mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Help You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with certified expert mechanics who can offer instant assistance, guidance and recommendations with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Probe won’t start or it’s your Puma 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 limitless questions, and even upload pictures and videos so you are able to show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk with them by means of online chat or by phone call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic online will help you detect the issue, guide you on the best course of action for your specific circumstance and even assist you through basic maintenance and repairs every step of the way.
So feel free to try out our just ask Ford mechanic service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
To wrap up, when your Ford Puma won’t start, it can be a complete disappointment and a massive hassle. However, knowing what might be causing the issues, being able to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are required in each case, and where to get help if needed, will be a substantial help. Keep in mind that regular upkeep is crucial for avoiding the majority of vehicle issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Puma can’t start?
First of all, do not panic. Try to identify any symptoms that could show a problem, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The reason for the problem is likely one of the typical causes gone over in this guide. You will need the help of a mechanic locally or online if you can’t find the cause of the problem yourself.
How to tell if my Ford Puma won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Puma 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 weak or old, it may be best to simply change it.
How can I prevent my Ford Puma not starting issues?
In order to ensure this annoyance never takes place once again, regular 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 having your Ford Puma checked by a mechanic frequently. It’s also an excellent idea to drive the car routinely so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Puma won’t start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can provide instantaneous professional Ford mechanic help and recommendations, without you needing to leave your home. If your Ford Puma will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is particularly helpful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Puma can’t start?
We link you with accredited professional Ford mechanics who can offer guidance on your particular circumstance. You can inform them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can effectively describe and show the issue. The mechanic will be able to assist, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, recommend the best course of action and guide you along the way.
