2002 Taurus won't crank

My 2002 Taurus SE wouldn't crank this morning. Yesterday everything worked like normal. There's a rattling noise coming from the driver's side engine compartment when I try to start the car (http://www.carforums.net/showthread.php?p=354892#). I checked: all the fuses are ok, battery got 12V.

Does anybody have idea's what could be wrong ?

Bad starter
bad solenoid
faulty connections
ignition switch
corroded battery cables

use a meter and test to see if the connections are good

Bushings in the starter maybe worn and are now binding.

I suspect the rattling noise is from the solenoid trying to engage but not having sufficient current/voltage to stay engaged. It's a pretty rapid rattling right, and the interior light dims considerably when trying to start the car?

Check the battery connections to make sure the are clean and tight. If they are, have someone watch the voltage on the meter when you try to start the car. I suspect you'll see te voltage drop down well below 12V when the key is in the start position.

If that is the case, pull the battery and have it load tested. The battery may be too weak to handle the current demand placed on it by the starter.

-Rod

"My 2002 Taurus SE wouldn't crank this morning. Yesterday everything worked like normal." I had the same thing happen and during the night a cell in the battery died and there is no cure but a new battery. Test it by putting jumpers on your battery cables from a good battery, but take your terminals loose or your bad cell will suck up the juice from the good battery. Hit the starter and if she cranks your battery is toast. Mine's a 03 and the original factory battery died last June, so go figure. That's the bad thing about a cell going bad, they give no warning of going bad, it cranks OK then you go in the store and shop and come back and all it'll do is click-click-click.

I checked auto parts stores and finally got one at WalMart for $20. less with the same warranty and amperage and they install it free. If you live up North you need a lot of cranking amps where down South I don't.