Taurus Acting Up Again

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Jul 24, 2010 | 10:16 AM

Icefan71

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From: Central PA

Taurus Acting Up Again

My 99 Taurus SE died the other day while I was out. It acted just like a dead battery. No cranking, just that clicking sound you hear. I had no choice but to wait for someone to walk by and ask for a jump. While I waited, I checked the battery, terminals, serp belt, pushed/pulled on the wiring and found nothing wrong. After a couple of minutes, I tried again and it started right up. I got home and rechecked under the hood but could not find anything wrong. Its been almost a week and its been fine. Battery, alternator, belt are all 1 year old. The car always starts right up. It did rain heavy a couple of days before and when I lifted the hood that first time there were a couple of drips of water on the inside back of the hood. Other than thatm I don't have any ideas. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jul 24, 2010 | 04:36 PM

tseekins

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From: Maine, Virginia

I think you need to pull a code first off. It's possible that the rain had something to do with it if you were driving.

Jul 25, 2010 | 02:49 PM

Icefan71

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From: Central PA

Last night I got caught in a very heavy down pour. It ran fine. Go figure. I've never had it scanned and there is/was no check eng light.

Jul 28, 2010 | 01:46 PM

Icefan71

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From: Central PA

The car is now dead in the driveway. The next day after driving it in heavy rain, it wont crank. With the door open, when I turn the key 1 click, the door "chimes" and interior lights go on as usual. One more click to "on" and everything dies. I tried a battery from another car and it did the same thing. And this battery worked in my other car (Camry).Is this maybe a PATS issue? I always did have problems with the door locks having a mind of their own and I also found some wires under the dash spliced into.

Jul 28, 2010 | 01:50 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

It's probably a cable issue, either the main positive cable or the ground is bad, once there's a load on it it can't flow the current needed.

Jul 29, 2010 | 12:30 PM

brd7666

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From: Clearwater Fl.

I had a Ranger that did that. I would pop the hood, wiggle some wires, and then it would start. Sometimes I think these cars have minds of their own.

Jul 29, 2010 | 01:28 PM

Icefan71

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From: Central PA

Ford Six, I checked the cables and they didn't look so good at the starter. So I cleaned all the connections at the starter and she started right up. Many thanks!!!