97 Taurus GL wont crank

[ChrisPro]

We have a 1997 Ford Taurus and it has been a very good used car for us. However, in the past week it has not started twice. When we get in the car the clock on the radio is reset at 12:00 and all the lights come on. But when we try to turn over the car it wont crank. I popped the hood and checked the battery and saw it was a bit wet on the terminals. We have had a lot of rain lately so maybe some splashed up. Anyway, I disconnected the battery and dried off the terminals and clamps. After reconnecting the battery it started up just fine. The 2nd time this same thing happened, the battery really wasn't wet, but I thought I might try the same thing and it worked again. Clearly something is wrong somewhere, but I honestly have no clue. I hope that someone can offer a suggestion. If you need any more information, please ask and I will do my best to provide it.

Thank you in advance,
Chris

[lincoln_mark_8]

you are having a problem with the connectors. You need to make sure they are tight! and all wires between battery and starter are tight and bat to ground are tight. This is a common prob if you have loose battery terminals. If they are in poor condition change them they are very inexpensive and spray some battery protectant on the posts.

[ChrisPro]

Lincoln Mark,

Thanks for the response and answers. I will check all that you suggested.

I do have one follow-up question.

Is it possible for the connection to come loose enough to reset the clock, and then regain connectivity enough to give power to the clock, lights, etc, but not give enough power to the starter to crank?

thanks again,
Chris

[boricuapimp4evr]

Originally Posted by lincoln_mark_8

you are having a problem with the connectors. You need to make sure they are tight! and all wires between battery and starter are tight and bat to ground are tight. This is a common prob if you have loose battery terminals. If they are in poor condition change them they are very inexpensive and spray some battery protectant on the posts.

Hi, my mom has a '97 Ford Taurus and her car did the same thing, we had to replace the terminal connectors and a few days after we had to replace the alternator, so you might want to get that checked out...

[shorod]

Also, if you have the type of connectors that are just bolted on to the cables, those are just intended for temporary use and easily corrode at the connections. Since your car is a 97, I doubt that is your problem, but worth a look anyway.

Also, check the connection where the ground cable connects to the body. Make sure it is clean and tight. If you have a corroded or really loose connection, it could loose connection temporarily long enough to reset the clock. You mention that the clock was reset to 12:00, but are you sure that someone hadn't attempted to start the car just prior to you noticing the reset clock? A bad connection or weak battery that causes the system voltage to drop low when trying to start the car will often cause the radio and clock to reset.

If when you pull off the cables from the battery you see much corrosion, clean it. Don't just tighten the cables, but actually inspect them to make sure they are clean as are the lead posts on the battery. Clocks, radio, and even lights draw a LOT less current than the starter. Corroded and or loose battery cables effectively has increased resistance to current flow, maybe still enough current flow to light lights, etc, but not enough to spin the starter.

-Rod