2003 Ford Taurus won't start..help

[eppyhonda]

Hey guys,
thought someone on here might be able to help me with this problem. I am having sporadic troubles starting my '03 Taurus. A few months ago, the car wouldn't start one day, I mean the engine wouldn't turn over, no noise at all when trying to start it. 5 minutes later, tried it and it started right up. This problem has been occuring with more frequency, but often now I can't get it started after waiting a while either, however if I try to start it say.. the next morning, fires right up. Sometimes I'll run an errand, get back in the car to head home, and all the sudden it won't start.

I am sure it's not the battery as the lights come on, stereo, fans, and they don't draw down when I try to turn the key. I've tried to jump the battery also when this is happening, to no avail. I was thinking it may be something along the lines of solenoid, starter, starter relay, ignition issues. I do live in Columbus, OH and the road salt is horrible. I thought possible corrosion on the ignition wiring could be to blame as well. If anyone has any experience with this kind of issue, I'd appreciate any advice.


thanks

 

[krusty the clown]

i shook up my magic 8-ball and it came up starter.

 

[tatra]

i agree with krusty, but also may be corroded connections..........altho i remember one time thinking stater and turned out to be the igniton switch at the base of the sterring column...........obviously check for power at the solenoid first..........

 

[TheGrooveking]

I've had similar problems and found that the cables running to the started were all corroded inside, thus actiing like large resistors. Changed out cables and she was good to go. Cables are not that much more, so just do them when you do the starter.

I just went through this on my F250 Super Duty 4x4, nothing like forking our $275 for a starter.

TheGrooveking

 

[Piper]

yep, starter or starter solenoid or starter cable connections. On my windstar (similar engine etc) the starter cable is notorious for collecting salt and road sh*t. You may not need anything new but just a good cleaning.

 

[Zrexxer]

Just had this problem on an 89 Taurus recently and it turned out to be the neutral safety interlock on the transmission.

 

[Intel]

Just had this problem on an 89 Taurus recently and it turned out to be the neutral safety interlock on the transmission.

had a 90 maxima that would do this. Would have to jiggle the shifter before starting.

Just something to think about beyond the starter. Maybe try pushing around the shifter next time it does that. If it still does it htehn definately starter solenoid.

 

[JerseyJim]

Just had this problem on an 89 Taurus recently and it turned out to be the neutral safety interlock on the transmission.

Could be this. Could also be the shifter mechanism. I had a Ford 500 and it had to be replaced at about 45K miles. Problem was infrequent at the start but became worse very quickly. Started out replacing the brake light switch. Because sometimes I could start the car if I really squashed the pedal. Eventually the shifter problem became more apparent as the culprit when I started having trouble getting it to shift out of park. Replaced the shifter and both problems went away.

 

[CarCrafter]

Its the starter... and do yourself a favor and get a decent one from Motorcraft. In a moment of weakness I bought one of those cheapies with the limited lifetime warranty for the wife's 04 Taurus from a parts house a couple of years back........ I've only had to replace it another 3 times since the initial failure... if you are going to roll the dice with a cheapie, I'd just as soon get an original out of a wrecked unit.

 

[Ex-Pat]

Probably Starter

Could be
Brake light switch
Ignition switch
Gear shift interlock

Hopefully
corroded or loose terminals on starter / solenoid well worth checking first

good luck

 

[eppyhonda]

thanks for all the replies. Turned out to be starter. new one's in and its up and running again. thanks so much

 

[krusty the clown]

thanks for all the replies. Turned out to be starter. new one's in and its up and running again. thanks so much

the magic 8-ball is never wrong

 

[RonB]

Check for a bad connection between the small wire at the solenoid and its terminal.It's a spade style terminal prone to a poor connection.

 

[Angelina]

I have a 2003 Taurus that wont start we changed the starter. Yay the car worked then two days later it left me stranded. A few hours later it starts up again, now two days later again it wont start everything works radio lights fans it just wont start. Can anyone tell me what it can be?

 

[CNGsaves]

If that Taurus has been in any kind of wreck, be sure to check the Fuel Shutoff Sensor as it will starve the car of fuel - - - - won't start at all.

Couple years ago had a minor wreck in Taurus and bodyshop fixed it up real nice (ie grill and little hood, with no air bag deployment) and one day it just died in traffic. Crank and crank but no starting. Fuel shutoff device is up by grill in case of a wreck and mine apparently worked just enough to last couple months after the wreck. Replace the black box and ran like a charm.

Thus, I'd start with fuel . . . . fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel shutoff, etc.

Good luck!

 

[pop pop]

When it doesn't start, jump the solenoid. If it starts, your problem is wiring/ignition switch/transmission lock out, etc. If not, it's the starter/cable issue.

 

[ImportTuner]

Check the transmission neutral safety switch .. those go bad occasionaly on Fords. I had the same issue on the Ford Explorer. The headlights turn on ok, radio works but truck would not start (no click or starter noise). Replaced transmission neutral safety switch and it starts every time now.

 

[mattmankow]

Don't shotgun parts. DIAGNOSE. Check for power at the starter and signal wires when trying to start it. Angelina, does the car crank at all?

 

[Milton Shaw]

Which engine is it. The 3.0 code U engine, every time you change the oil filter it drips on the starter. I have a friend's that I have had to replace two starters because of oil soaking. I'm the one doing the oil changes and all the rags and covers in the world will not keep the oil filter from dripping on that starter. Easy starter to change but bad location for oil changes.

 

[srmofo]

Guys hes got it fixed already. It was the starter.

Those engines seem to burn through started with a high frequency....Im sure the oil filter being located right above it with no room to slide a piece of cardboard in there to keep the oil off the the starter has nothing to do with it