2002 Ford Taurus SE No Crank

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ASHTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Have problems starting my car. It has only done it twice so far. The first time I drove about 10 miles. Stopped and got gas and it wouldnt crank over. Thought it was the battery. Guy looked at it, messed with the wires, it started right up. The next time I drove about 10 miles. Stopped the car and came back and it wouldnt start again. I asked somebody for a jump and it didnt do anything at all. Had it towed to mechanic. Next day it started for him. He did get it to not start for a moment but was never really able to duplicate it. Days before it will do this it starts to get harder and harder to start, like the battery is going bad. The mechanics only recommendation is to replace the starter. Any ideas?
Mar 9, 2006 at 3:08 AM
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2CARPRO BOB
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 45 POSTS
Here are some things to check. Load test the battery. Check that the battery cable connections are clean. Check for 12 volts to starter solenoid with the key in the start position. These things should be checked first then the ignition switch, neutral safety switch, starter and starter solenoid. One of these may be faulty.
Mar 11, 2006 at 12:17 PM

Suggested Repair

Load-test the battery and clean the battery cable connections. With the key in start, confirm 12 volts at the starter solenoid. If those checks pass, inspect the ignition switch, neutral safety switch, starter, and starter solenoid.

Conversation Summary

A 2002 Ford Taurus SE with 68k miles intermittently will not crank after short trips, sometimes seeming like a weak battery. A jump did not help once, and a shop could not reliably duplicate the no-start but suggested replacing the starter. The expert advised checking the battery under load, cable connections, and voltage to the starter solenoid first, then the ignition switch, neutral safety switch, starter, and starter solenoid.

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