2004 Taurus car won't start! HELP!!!!

[robert.hagan.7798]

2004 Ford Taurus won't start. Car was running rough and overheating. Changed plugs & coil packs, then car was running good. Removed battery to replace thermostat. After done with thermostat, put battery back in. NOW car won't start, so I even replaced starter. Still no start! Also used a portable device to perform a diagnostic.

[carriedi]

Tell me what happens when you turn the key to the start position. Does the engine crank over or not? Does the starter solenoid engage the starter or not. Do you get on big click and then nothing? Or do you get a bunch of clicking as long as you j=hold the key in the start position? Does the engine crank the engine over and everything sounds normal but it just doesn't start? Or, do it turn over faster than what it used to? Do the dash lights come on in the run position? Turn on the headlights, put the ignition in the run position, do the headlights dim? There are so many things to check need more information to help you.

[robert.hagan.7798]

It tries to start when I turn the key. I smell gas when I'm trying to start it, so I'm assuming it's getting gas. The lights come on when you turn the key on, dash lights also. However, the theft dash light comes on when I try to start it, not sure if it's always done that.

[carriedi]

try disconnection your battery again. leave it disconnected for about 5 minutes. Then reconnect. (Make sure the key is not in the ignition during this time) then see if it works

[willyou]

carriedi,
Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can find someone with small hands that can reach in and wipe it out.
Thanks

[mindyann]

my question is simply this.....i have a lincoln with a 4.6L DOHC InTech 32 valve v8 engine Teksid Aluminum Block apprx 180,000 miles the rest of the car leaves a lot to be desired but the engine runs great always has. what is a realistic asking price for that engine? I know its desirable because I've had some offers I just don't know what its really worth.

[jony33]

One of the reasons they use brake fluid in brakes is that it won't damage the rubber in the brake system. (well, that and the higher boiling temp) But, brake fluid is hygroscopic, in that it attracts and absorbs water.

[searchlight]

I recently purchased a used 1997 Sable and noticed that whenever the car sits overnight, and the engine is cold, when I start the car the yellow ABS light blinks momentarily when I start the car, and then goes out.

After the engine warms up, and I use the car throughout the day, the light no longer appears.

Is this normal? Is it designed to do an ABS system check once a day, and only when cold?

[carriedi]

There should be a prove out when you turn on your ignition. but that should happen ever ytime you cycle the key from off to on. It should be like a two second prove out where the light comes on and then goes out if there are no codes. If you mean that the light actually blinks on and off more than just the one time you should check to see if there are any codes in the abs system. Using a scanner, see if you have codes. Record all the codes that you may have. The codes will appear in order of importance ( if there is more than one). Look to fix the first code first and then clear codes and drive and rescan to see if other codes return.

[searchlight]

To be more specific, the ABS indicator never lights steadily after the engine starts, nor while I am driving.

What is weird is that when I turn the ignition to Run, and all the indicator lights, light momentarily, that I only see the ABS light momentarily when the engine is cold.

If the engine warms up, and I should drive a while and then park the car, and then restart it again, the ABS light does not blink unless the engine is cold.

That is why I am wondering whether this is a one time system check by design every 24 hours.

I have no codes, nor Service Engine Soon indicator lights with my code reader.

[carriedi]

It does not have a cycle like every 24 hours or something like that. But as long as the light doesn't come on while you're driving, I would not be too worried about it. I would only worry if it does come on while you are driving and stays on. There could be times when the ABS light will come on momentarily when you are driving when you drive over something that will cause a tire to slip like wet leaves on the road or something like that, that would be normal too. it's the abs system telling you that it sees the wheel speed difference between the tires. but it should go out right away and the wheel speed matches back up to the other tires.