Won't crank

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

2004 Taurus SEL. I have never had any issues with this car. It has always run like a champ. Then one day when I went to start it all I heard was a clicking sound. It does not try to turn over. Car has a new battery, and now I just replaced the starter. Same symptoms, it just clicks… Any ideas on what to check next?

[shorod]

Is it a single loud click, a soft click, or a rapid series of clicks? Is the Theft/Security light flashing when you attempt to start it?

-Rod

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Originally Posted by shorod

Is it a single loud click, a soft click, or a rapid series of clicks? Is the Theft/Security light flashing when you attempt to start it?

-Rod

It is the starter solenoid clicking rather loudly. As far as the theft light, I put the key in and it is flashing. When I move it to ‘start’ it seems to go off and the locks lock.

If it was an anti-theft issue wouldn’t it block any power to the starter (and keep that from clicking)?

[shorod]

Many of the PATS systems just shut off the fuel but still allow the starter to engage. But, I don't know what they did in 2004. Since the Theft light flashes rapidly, that would seem to indicate a problem detected by the PATS system.

-Rod