1997 Ford Taurus not starting

REDMUSTANG65

MEMBER
1997 FORD TAURUS

1997 Ford Taurus Automatic

Car would not start, all lights on dash etc came on. Next morning, car started. Afraid to shut car off when it does start so that I'm not stranded

Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 3:20 PM

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,805 POSTS

When this happens, does the starter work? Also, can you hear the fuel pump prime when you first turn the key on? Finally, if the starter works, did you check to see if you are getting spark and fuel to the engine?

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Monday, July 26th, 2010 AT 12:35 AM

REDMUSTANG65

MEMBER
3 POSTS

How do I know if the starter works. I hear nothing, no click nothing. After it sat overnight, it started with no problem and has started since

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Monday, July 26th, 2010 AT 12:41 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,805 POSTS

That is what I needed to know. If the starter does nothing, then we have a few things to check. When it happens, you need to check to see if power it getting to the starter. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for power to the smaller wire on the starter. If should have 12+ volts at that point.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 AT 12:10 AM

REDMUSTANG65

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3 POSTS

I'm one of those know nothing about cars females. I took it to someone today that thinks its either the starter or computer. I drove the car around before I took it to him hoping it would not start once I was there. It didn't, first he thought it may have been some box, then he thought computer. Noticed grease on starter and said that when motor was hot the grease may be the issue. I had an oil leak a few months back that has since been fixed

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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 AT 4:10 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,805 POSTS

I'm here to help if you have questions. As far as the starter, it could be bad, but no to the computer. That is why I asked if there was power to the starter when it didn't work. It could be a starter relay. Maybe that is what he was looking at.

Let me know.