Intro
As a certified Auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Territorys that won’t to start. And believe me, I understand how irritating 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 frequent causes why your Ford Territory 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 useful troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of practical experience, so you can get your Ford Territory starting and moving as quickly as possible.
Understanding Why a Ford Territory Won’t Start
Before we get stuck into the causes and repair options it’s important to initially comprehend the issue. When you hop into your car and realize “My Ford Territory won’t start”, this could be because of an array of issues being wrong with your vehicle. Maybe it’s a case where the engine is not turning over at all, perhaps it is turning over partially however then not starting, or maybe you can hear a clicking sound when you attempt to start the engine, however in the end absolutely nothing happens. Each of these annoying situations can be a sign of various problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Ford Territory Won’t Start
There are various reasons that a Territory can’t start up. These problems usually consist of a dead or weak vehicle battery, a bad alternator, starter motor failures, fuel system failures, along with electrical or wiring problems. Each one of these problems can manifest as different symptoms and require different solutions to troubleshoot and repair, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Ford Territory That Won’t Start
Being able to recognize and diagnose these symptoms, will assist you in finding the root cause of the problem. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking noise but your Ford still will not 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 Territory Won’t Start
The initial step to finding a practical solution to the issue is knowing the root cause of that problem, so let’s look into the most typical reasons your Territory won’t start.
Ford Territory Battery Issues
In the vast majority of cases, the most common reason why your Ford Territory won’t start is often down to a bad battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you need to either charge up the battery or replace it. The vehicle’s battery supplies the electricity required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Ford Territory. Symptoms of a bad battery issue in a Territory, can be things like the car being sluggish to crank the engine, weak or dim headlights, or a lit-up battery caution 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 Territory Alternator Problems
The alternator is responsible for charging the battery from the engine while the car is running. A broken alternator can certainly stop your Ford Territory from starting as it won’t have the ability 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 can’t get your Ford to fire up. Signs that the alternator is faulty can be a lit-up battery or alternator caution 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 Territory Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Ford Territory, the starter motor handles turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is faulty in some way then the engine may not crank, and your Territory will not start. You can find out if your starter motor has a problem or not typically by listening for a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition or a grinding noise throughout the startup, or your car can start, but only intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Ford Territory Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but the fuel system itself having issues. Your Ford Territory uses a combustion engine, andfor that reason to start and run, it needs a combination of both fuel and air. If your Territory issues are the result of a faulty fuel system, this could be a clogged fuel filter or a faulty fuel pump relay, which could suggest the engine may not be getting the fuel it requires 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 Territory Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Ford Territorys rely greatly on electronics, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially go wrong. Even in an older Ford Territory, you can still have typical problems such as blown fuses, spark plug problems, a damaged ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be a few of the numerous electrical explanations as to why your Ford Territory can’t start up. Indications of a circuitry or electrical issue can vary widely however can often include the engine not cranking, or your Territory can start but only intermittently or various alert lights come on the dashboard. To effectively diagnose 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 determined what the reason for your car failing to start is. The next step is of course to attempt to fix it. Here are some pointers for the typical problems we’ve covered up until now.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Ford Territory
If you think it’s possibl a battery problem is the reason your Territory has trouble starting, then the first thing you must do is inspect around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and securely connected. If you discover that the terminals are corroded you can attempt 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 Territory’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 vehicle, it will likely deplete quickly 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 Territory, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Territory’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 Mechanic on the go.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Ford Territory
If the alternator is what you suspect is the reason, you can test it to see for yourself. 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 vehicle run, and while it’s running, disconnect the positive terminal of your car’s battery. If you find your Ford Territory is dying instantly, then it’s probably because of a problem with the alternator. You should be aware however that this method can be dangerous, and may harm the sensitive electronic elements in your Ford Territory, so it’s always best to seek advice from an experienced car mechanic in your area or online, prior to ever attempting this.
How to Identify Starter Motor Failures in a Ford Territory
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 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 Problems in a Ford Territory
If you think 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 should hear a humming noise for a few seconds. It might be there is a problem with the fuel pump if you are unable to hear this noise. If you notice your Ford is tough to start, it stalls, or it has bad acceleration, it could possibly be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a reliable car mechanic in order to correctly 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 Territory
If you think it’s a wiring or electrical system problem, first examine the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have actually blown. If your Ford starts after this, then it was a successful, easy and low-cost fix! If the car doesn’t start, even intermittently, it might be an issue with the ignition switch itself. It could be a faulty sensor if numerous warning lights are lit up on your dashboard. These issues can be extremely complicated and a reliable car mechanic is most 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 dad always stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to ensure you hopefully avoid any Ford Territory starting problems again!
Regular Upkeep of Your Ford Territory:
Regular upkeep of your Ford Territory is essential to avoid future troubles. This consists of things like regular oil changes, inspecting the battery, cleaning up the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as advised/needed, and of course having your vehicle checked by a reliable car mechanic regularly. 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 Territory Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Ford Territory in the driveway for long periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery may run out of charge as it’s not receiving any electrical charge from the engine running running regularly. Try to drive your Territory frequently to keep the battery charged. If you remember you haven’t 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 completely drain, is also damaging to the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you observe anything strange like unusual sounds, a difference in driving and performance, or warning lights are now visible on your Ford Territorys dashboard, don’t ignore them and get on with your day. These can be early indications of a problem and it’s best to be attended to ASAP so that they don’t become much bigger problems down the line. Talk to a car mechanic in your area or online about these warning lights and get advice on if they need to be dealt with.
When to Ask a Ford Mechanic Online
If you’re either limited on time, want a specialist Ford mechanic on hand assisting and advising you, or you’ve actually attempted to fix it by yourself, but in spite of your best efforts your Territory fails to start, then talking with a Ford mechanic online can be a fantastic choice. It certainly beats googling things like “my Ford wont start in the cold” 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 advantages. You can get professional Ford mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is especially helpful if your car will not start and is stuck in the driveway. It can also help you 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 quickly, which is excellent if you’re in a hurry, require a second opinion, or you just like having an expert Ford mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Assist You
MechanicAnswer.com connects you with accredited professional mechanics who can provide instant assistance, guidance and advice with all issues and all Ford models. So it doesn’t matter if your Ford Tempo won’t start or it’s your Territory 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 issues you are having with your car, ask Ford mechanics limitless questions, and even submit images and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can speak to them via online chat or by call, whichever you choose. The Ford mechanic will help you diagnose the issue, advise you on what are the best options for your specific circumstance and even guide you through basic maintenance and repairs step by step.
So feel free to try out our online Ford mechanics service and see for yourself!
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your Ford Territory won’t start, it will likely be a complete downer and a massive inconvenience. However, understanding what might be causing the issues, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are needed in each case, and where to get help if required, will be a big help. Keep in mind that routine maintenance is crucial for avoiding all kinds of car issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my Ford Territory doesn’t start?
Firstly, don’t panic. Try to identify any signs that could show an issue, such as unusual noises, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The reason for the problem is most likely among the most common causes discussed in this guide. If you can’t find the issue yourself, you will need the aid of a Ford mechanic locally or online.
How to tell if my Ford Territory won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Territory 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 might be best to just swap it for a newer one.
How can I prevent my Ford Territory not starting issues?
In order to ensure this annoyance never takes place once again, routine upkeep is key. This includes things like oil changes, inspecting the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and having your Ford Territory inspected by a mechanic frequently. It’s also a great idea to drive the vehicle regularly so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Ford Territory will not start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can offer immediate professional Ford mechanic assistance and guidance, without you having to leave your home. This is specifically helpful if your vehicle will not start and is stuck in the driveway.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Ford Territory can’t start?
We link you with certified specialist Ford mechanics who can offer guidance on your particular circumstance. You can inform them about your car problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can appropriately describe and show the issue. The mechanic will be able to assist, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, suggest the best course of action and guide you along the way.
