Intro
Let's face it, we've all experienced it, you've got places to go, you get in your Ford Taurus, turn the key, and … drum roll please … nothing at all! Your Taurus won't fire up! This a very annoying scenario, but don't stress, we've got the answers. There are lots and lots of causes as to why your Ford Taurus will not start, and in this article, to save you time we'll go over the most typical reasons along with provide you with practical solutions to get your car back on the road!
Understanding the Problem
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it's important to first have an understanding of the problem. When you realize to yourself “My Ford Taurus won't start”, this could be due to an array of things being wrong with your vehicle. Perhaps the engine is not starting at all, potentially it is cranking partially but then not starting, or maybe it's making a clicking noise when you attempt to start the engine, however in the end absolutely nothing happens. Each of these situations can indicate different issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Taurus Won't Start
There are many reasons that a Taurus will not start up. These issues usually consist of a dead or weak car battery, a bad alternator, starter motor problems, fuel system problems, as well as electrical or circuitry complications. Each one of these issues can manifest as an array of symptoms and require different solutions to detect and resolve, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Ford Taurus That Won't Start
Being able to identify and diagnose these symptoms, will assist you in discovering the underlying cause of the issue. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking noise 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 Taurus Won't Start
The first step to figuring out a solution to the issue is understanding the underlying cause of that issue, so let's explore the most common causes as to why your Taurus won't start.
Ford Taurus Battery Issues
In the vast majority of cases, the most common reason why your Ford Taurus will not start is, in many cases due 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 supplies the power that’s needed to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Ford Taurus. Signs of a bad battery issue in a Taurus, are things like the vehicle being sluggish to crank the engine, weak or dim headlights, or a lit-up battery caution light on the dashboard.
Ford Taurus Alternator Problems
The alternator is responsible for charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A defective alternator can easily stop your Ford Taurus from starting as it will not be able to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will drain all the way down until it's dead and you only realize it when you get in your Taurus and it won't start. Symptoms that your car's alternator may be faulty can be a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dashboard, poorly lit headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding noise from the engine while it's running.
Ford Taurus Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Ford Taurus, the starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is faulty in some way then the engine may not crank, and your Taurus won't start. You can tell if your starter motor has an issue or not often by listening, if you hear a clicking noise when you turn your key or a grinding sound during the startup, or your vehicle can start, but only intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Taurus Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you simply run out of gas here, but your car’s fuel system itself having problems. Your Ford Taurus uses a combustion engine, andfor that reason to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Taurus problems are the result of a faulty fuel system, this could be a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump relay, which could indicate the engine may not be getting the fuel it needs to get the vehicle started.
Ford Taurus Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Ford Tauruss rely greatly on electronics, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially fail. Even in an older model, you can still have regular issues such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a faulty ignition switch, or a broken sensor, and more. These can be some of the many electrical reasons that your Ford Taurus can't start. Indications of a circuitry or electrical problem can differ greatly however can typically include the engine not cranking, or your Taurus can start but only intermittently or numerous alert lights are lit up on the car’s dash. To correctly identify and repair these kinds of issues, you will need the abilities of a skilled car mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have figured out what the cause of your car being unable to start is. The next step is obviously to attempt to fix it. Here are some tips for the typical problems we've covered previously.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Taurus
If it’s a battery issue you suspect is the problem, then the first thing you ought to do is check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and tightly connected. If you discover that the terminals are corroded you can attempt cleaning them with a mix of baking soda and water. 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 run out of life again in the not so distant future. You can make use of a multimeter 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 ask a reliable car mechanic online or in your area to help you with this.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Taurus
If you’re thinking that the alternator is the cause of your car starting troubles, you can test it. If you can get the car started 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 likely the result of a problem with your car's alternator if you notice that your Ford Taurus dies right away 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 damage the sensitive electronic parts in your Ford Taurus, so in this case best to chat with a professional mechanic in your area or online, before ever trying this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Taurus
Listen for a clicking noise when you turn the ignition key if you think the starter motor is the cause of your Ford Taurus not starting. In these cases, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Deal With Fuel System Problems in a Ford Taurus
If you suspect the issue to be due to 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. It may be there is a problem with the fuel pump if you are not able to hear this sound. If you notice 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 reliable car mechanic in order to correctly fix.
How to Repair Electrical or Wiring Issues in a Ford Taurus
If you suspect it's an electrical wiring or electrical system issue, initially check the fuses associated with the ignition system, and replace any that have blown. If your Ford starts after this, then it was a successful, easy and cheap fix! However, if the car doesn't start, even intermittently it might be a problem with the ignition switch itself. It may be a faulty sensing unit if different warning lights are visible on your dashboard. These problems can be very complex and a professional car mechanic is most likely required to identify and repair it.
Preventive Steps
As my father always said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are the best ways to ensure you hopefully avoid any Ford Taurus starting troubles ever again!
Regular Upkeep of Your Ford Taurus:
Regular maintenance of your Ford Taurus is of the utmost importance to preventing future problems. This includes things like regular oil changes, inspecting your car battery, cleaning up the terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and having your vehicle checked by a professional car mechanic regularly. You can speak with a mechanic in your area or online if you find yourself uncertain or not sure about the routine maintenance jobs needed for your particular vehicle.
Drive Your Ford Taurus Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Ford Taurus in your garage for long periods of time without driving it, the battery may drain as it's not getting any charge from the engine running regularly. Try your best to drive your Taurus 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 for the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
If you observe anything strange like uncommon noises, changes in how it drives and the performance, or alert lights are now visible on your Ford Tauruss dashboard, don't ignore them. These are usually early signs of a problem and are best being dealt with ASAP before they become much bigger issues later. Chat with 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're either short on time, want an expert Ford mechanic on hand helping and advising you, or you've actually attempted to resolve it by yourself, but despite your best efforts your car won't start, then talking with a Ford mechanic online can be a fantastic option. It certainly beats googling things like “Ford turning over but wont start” 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, offer a number of advantages. You can get skilled Ford mechanic advice 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is particularly beneficial if your vehicle won't 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 the answer rapidly, which is excellent if you're in a rush, need a 2nd opinion, or you simply like having a professional Ford mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with accredited expert mechanics who can provide instantaneous assistance, guidance and advice with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn't matter if your Ford Super Duty won't start or it's your Taurus 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 describe the problems you are having with your car, ask Ford mechanics unlimited questions, and even upload pictures and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk to them through online chat or by phone call, whichever you prefer. The Ford mechanic online will help you identify the issue, advise you on the best course of action for your individual circumstance and even guide you through simple maintenance and repair work every step of the way.
So feel free to try out our chat with a Ford mechanic service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
To summarize, when your Ford Taurus is unable to start, it can be a complete bummer and a huge inconvenience. However, having an understanding of what might be triggering the issues, being able to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are needed in each case, and where to get help if needed, will be a huge help. Keep in mind that regular upkeep is crucial for preventing the vast majority of car problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Taurus doesn’t start?
First off, don't panic. Attempt to identify any signs that could show an issue, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the issue is most likely one of the main causes gone over in this guide. You will need the aid of a mechanic locally or online if you can't find the issue yourself.
How to tell if my Ford Taurus won't start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Taurus 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. If the battery is weak or old, it may be best to just swap it for a newer one.
How can I prevent my Ford Taurus not starting issues?
In order to ensure this annoyance never happens again, routine upkeep is essential. This includes things like oil changes, examining the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and getting your Ford Taurus inspected by a mechanic frequently. It's also a fantastic idea to drive the vehicle routinely so the battery stays charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Taurus won't start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can provide immediate professional Ford mechanic help and guidance, without you having to leave your home. If your Ford Taurus fails to start and is stuck in the driveway, this is particularly beneficial.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Taurus is unable to start?
We link you with accredited specialist Ford mechanics who can offer recommendations on your specific situation. You can inform them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can appropriately explain and show the problem. The mechanic will have the ability to help, troubleshoot, identify the problem, suggest the very best course of action and guide you along the way.
