2000 Taurus won't start

[mom2fourboyz]

2 days ago my car wouldn't start so my dad gave me a jump. It started right up and I let it run for 1/2 hour. Got home and shut it off. Later went to leave and it would not start...not even a click or anything, just dead. I put the charger on all night and was fully charged. Got in still nothing. Lights come on, radio works...every thing is normal except that it will not start, no noises at all. Tapped on the starter..nothing. Took battery to shop had it tested...perfect shape? So now what do I do. Thanks for your help.

[road_rascal]

It's possible that the battery is still to blame. The battery would still hold a charge but fail when put under a starting load. I suspect the plates inside the battery have separated. I had that happen a few times- the lights would still work but if you try to start the car everything would go dead. Not even a 'click' from the starter.

[mom2fourboyz]

So, the machine they used at NAPA woudn't pick that up? The guy said everything was great? When I try to start it, the lights and everything still work.

[joe92k1500]

You can try to jump the car one more time. If it starts right up, then you probably need a new battery. At the same time make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight, and check the negative cable on the battery. Where it connects to the car should also be clean and tight. Reason i say this is whan someone jumps a car, the neg. jumper cable is attatched to the car and not the battery ( for safety reasons ). There could be a problem with that cable and you wouldn't know it because it is being bypassed. Just something else to check

[mom2fourboyz]

Thank you but everything has been done to the battery already.....we tried everything cleaning, tightening, wires, jumping, battery tested, charged. Still nothing. I belive there is more wrong than a battery problem.

[joe92k1500]

Well if you tried to jump it again and it did not even crank, then there is another problem. If there is no click then there is a problem with the starting system. When you turn the key to the on position, do the indicator lights come on ( check engine, oil brake, etc)? If not it could be a bad ignition switch. If they do come on then i would point to the starter. The solenoid could be bad or the motor itself has failed. Also, check all the wires on the starter, and make sure they are also tight and clean. Let us know what you find.

[TomV]

Assume that the wiring is OK since you have checked that out. Assume the battery is good since it is tested. Assume the ignition switch is OK since other circuits turn on.

There are 2 fuses in the engine compartment related to the starter.

If they check out then the starter/solenoid is bad.

[mom2fourboyz]

Yes, indicator lights come on. Until my car wouldn't start the other day, I have never ever had any issues with my car. Oil and tires that is it in 3 years. When you get in and go to start it everything appears normal until you try to turn it over....there is absoluty nothing. No click, nothing. I have heard that their could be "security issues" on 2000 Taurus'? Something about the chip in the key? Is this a possbility? My brother said that in a GM vehicle that can happen but the car isn't completely quiet...it sounds like turning it over with a dead battery but will not start? Here is my quandry....my husband has MS and I have 4 sons that still live at home. We only get paid once a month and the idea of bringing it to the shop is really not an option for us...we would have to save for months to do that. My husband could fix it I'm sure if we could figure out what it is? Starter relays..$15.00, Starters $100-200, you get my point. What fuses am I looking for...I know where the box is under the hood next to the battery....are there specific spots to check, details please...I am a woman! (sorry women!) I really really thank you guys for helping me and being patient with my questions and description of my issues. I will check the fuses when you get back to me and keep you updated on my progress.

[road_rascal]

Do you live next to a nice neighbor who would be willing to let you 'borrow' a battery for 1/2 a day and see if your car acts up? Just because a shop 'checks' a battery does not necessarily means the battery is OK. Sears did that to me a few years ago.

[TomV]

My apologies for the two fuse comment. The schematic shows that for the 3.4L SHO and 3.0L 24 Valve model. The 3.0L 12 valve (most Taurus) and the Flex Fuel engines do not have fuses in the schematic diagram. However, the additional component that could be bad is the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) mounted on the transmission.

Some are getting hung up on the battery as a problem. The possibilty is remote that a bad battery tested good. Also forgotten in this thread is that the car did not start when jumped. If the lights come on but there is no clicking sound when the key is turned I doubt the battery is the culprit. Do the headlights dim when the key is turned? If not, then there is no current being drawn by the starter. Not a battery problem.

Problems include, in this order: Starter/Solenoid, TRS, Ignition Switch.

Try starting the car when the transmission is shifted in Neutral. If it starts then the problem is in the TRS for certain. Both the Park and Neutral positions of the TRS are connected together.

[Banjoman10]

Geez guys, it was so simple, except mom2fourboyz didn't want to accept the truth. If you can jumpstart the car with the jumper cables attached to the non-starting car's battery terminals, then it is the BATTERY, period, absolutely nothing else. Never mind the tests. Just because the battery can put out the voltage (that's what's usually tested) doesn't mean it can supply the Amperage (high current). As batteries go bad, their internal resistance increases, therefore their high current output ability decreases. The failure can be quite sudden, actually I went thru with this scenario of sudden failure, with a '00 Taur. 24V engine, 3 years old original factory battery. The new battery fixed it pronto, and that was a year ago.