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YACT: Roommate's 1998 Taurus refused to start

L

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
So my roomie is relatively clueless when it comes to cars, I'm know a little but not that much.

He couldn't get it to start coming back from work today, and asked me to come look at it tommorow.

So here is what he tells me:

1998 Taurus, low mileage, good shape, except the Airconditioner doesn't work (Compressor is out, a 1200 dollar repair so he didn't make it. Crazy mofo lives in Pheonix.).

Engine turns over, low battery light is not on (but I figured we might try a jump on it anyway)

Service Engine Soon light is on.

Don't know oil level (will check when we get there . . but it should catch even with low/no oil, right? ditto coolant).

I'm going to go over there, mess with the few things I know how to, and then either drive it back or tell him to call a tow truck.
 
Alot of things, need to be more specific.

Does it have a spark? Is there fuel pressiure? Does he even have gas?

 
He said he was low on gas, but he made it there and turned it off, so its got to have a little.

The engine does turn over, as is stated in OP.

is there any way I could check on the fuel/spark systems?

about the ford . . . yeah, ok, the 93-98 taurus/sable's aren't anything special, but my '91 is still rock-solid. Too bad its in Stl and I'm in Houston.
 
Originally posted by: speed01
Just for giggles, check the fuses.

Speed
Click to expand...

good idea, will do.

They gonna have a guide to which fuse is what anywhere, either on the fusepanel or in the owner's manual?
 
first make sure there is gas in it, next check spark by removing a spark plug wire and plug and clamping it to ground then turning the key, though you don't sound mechanically inclined enough to do it but if you want to try it go for it. I've done it before without muliple casualties but that's just me. you should see a spark across the plug gap. you can also just put the end of the wire close to ground in some cases, but anyway you get the idea. (i hope)

 
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