1995 ford taurus wont start at all

[xalfx]

my taurus wont start i tried jumping it but got nothing....doesent even try to start i turn the key all my lights turn on and i can hear a clicking in the engine but i get nothing what should i check for??

[Dave_s]

have you checked the starter? try banging on th starter with a hammer while trying to start it. If that works you need a new starter.

[shorod]

Do you get a single click when trying to start, or a rapid series of clicks?

If single click, sounds like the starter is your problem. If a rapid series of clicks, then the problem may be as simple as a dirty or loose battery cable.

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

Definitely clean battery posts and cables really good. That may be all it needs as Rod said. In addition, if that doesn't fix it, follow the red/positive cable to the starter and make sure it is clean and tightly connected. Also follow and check the black/negative cable to where it bolts to the engine. It seems unlikely that they would loosen, but it does happen. Next time you crank the engine, watch the inside dome light to see how bright it is before and during cranking. Diming a lot may indicate you have a weak battery, which is common in cold weather. So that too is worth testing. At the very least try to find its voltage at the posts, not the clamps. Then you can test the voltage on the clamps, if much lower than the voltage at the posts, then you have a bad connection between the posts and the cable post clamps. You can do this sort of test across all of your wire connections to verify the condition of a connection. Putting the battery on a charger won't hurt, but will help with being certain it isn't the problem if it was accidentally discharged. The jump start not working does point more to bad connections or starter, but you said clicking, which sounds like not enough power is getting to the starter relay. Let us know what you find wrong.