95 Taurus 3.8 won't crank

bd2988 · #1 10-31-2005, 10:16 AM

I have a 95 Taurus with the 3.8l engine, and I am currently having trouble getting it to turn over. The starter was tested at autozone, it spun and they said it was good. When you turn the key, the starter engages but the engine doesn't turn. The negative terminal (not the post on the battery but the actual terminal on the ground wires) gets hot. I've cleaned all connections, and still it does the same thing. There is no metal in the oil either. Is it possible that the starter couldn't have enough juice to turn the engine even though it engages (i.e, it's worn out)? Also I noticed the flywheel has rust on it. Is it possible that some penitrating oil on that would get her to crank?... ANY suggestions are welcome!

Jeckler · #2 10-31-2005, 11:45 AM

What events led up to this problem? Have you tested the battery? Can you turn the engine by hand? If I remember correctly, it's possible to put a socket on the crank pulley through the passenger wheelwell after removing the splash shield (but I can't remember why I think that). Try removing all the sparkplugs.

bd2988 · #3 10-31-2005, 01:08 PM

Actually, I got this car for free off of my gf's mom. She said it turned over before I got it. Yeah, I did try to turn the crank with a breaker bar, it wouldn't budge... But I am still in disbelief that the engine is seized. Could it possibly be a faulty starter? I'm just trying everything here.

Willyum · #4 11-01-2005, 09:53 AM

If you can't budge the crankshaft by hand, don't blame the starter unless it is stuck in the flywheel.

bd2988 · #5 11-07-2005, 10:27 AM

I got the car to turn over. First, I sprayed penitrating oil in all cylinders. Then I bought a new starter on ebay for like 20 bucks. I put the new starter on and tried to turn it over... No results. I then kept trying and trying and trying to turn it by hand on the crank, got back in the car, turned the key and it turned over.

Unfortunatly, now it wont start lol. I replaced all the plugs (gapped at .054), dist. cap and rotor. It's in proper firing order too. The plugs have gas on them when I take them out. I've checked for spark too, the dist. is getting juice as so are the wires. Any suggestions?

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