01 Ford Taurus Won't Start

Asked by Tiffany Dec 17, 2014 at 09:44 PM about the 2001 Ford Taurus SE Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car is having problems starting and check engine light code says there's an evap
leak. Has been since mid-summer and just started having difficulty starting when the
cold weather hit. Old battery tested okay, replaced the battery five days ago. Re-
tested new battery, still fine. The starter was replaced last year, mechanic tested it--
fine. Alternator, fine. Is it possible that the gas tank isn't holding pressure because of
the evap leak? Or should I look elsewhere?

Also, when the car is jumped with cables from another car, it turns over right away.
There's no clicking or lights when it fails to start. Make the starting up sound, just
won't actually start.

I usually have to jump it about once a week, even with the new battery. Can the evap
cause this? Maybe alternator?

2 Answers
11,065

ytlas answered 9 years ago

Shouldn't be the evap. That mainly vents the gas tank http://www.aa1car.com/library/evap_system.htm To me it sounds like either the alternator isn't putting out or there's a parasitic drain on the battery. To test the alternator, quick way would be to get a multimeter and set it to 12 volts DC and put the positive probe on the positive of the battery and the negative on negative. Start the engine and the battery should read over 14 volts because it's getting charged by the alternator. If it isn't then it's a good chance it's the alternator. If it does, then the battery is weak because perhaps some small circuit that remains on when it should shut off.

Mark helpful

yourvision answered 8 years ago

check a power drain from dash lights,door lights, over head lights etc. if its not the alternator. you said no lights when it fails to start?? do the head lights flicker when it cranks? are the battery posts clean? and connected tight?

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

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