Have a 2001 Taurus (69K) that doesn't start up if I've made short trips in the heat. Another question like this has recently been posted, but I wanted to add that my car also won't start up if parked uphill in the heat even if I haven't driven it! It passed the Ford Dealer's diagnostic...lights are on and it cranks, just doesn't turn over. Any ideas? Still an ignition switch/starter issue even with the uphill info? Thanks!

SOURCE: Ignition Switch 89 Ford Lariat Truck

Comment by 54harley, posted on Nov 13, 2008 Jeff;
First of all before anything else, disconnect the ground battery cable. Remove column shroud by loosening the screw on the underside, selecting position "1" for automatics and manual 3 speeds, then spreading shroud open and withdrawing out of instrument panel opening by pulling up and away from the column.

If the ignition switch is out of adjustment, that will keep it from working properly. It operates by a rod through the lock actuator rack and pinion which is driven by the key cylinder. To readjust the switch, first disconnect the ignition switch connector by carefully spreading apart the locking fingers and pulling the plug apart. Now rotate the key back and forth until you can insert a 5/64 drill bit, or something equivalent, through the locking pin hole as far as possible. The locking pin hole is located on the right of the switch next to the steering column tube. Next loosen the two ignition switch mounting nuts, turn the ignition to LOCK (feel for detent), and remove the key. Now move the switch up and down along the column to locate the mid-point of the rod lash and then re-tighten the mounting nuts, making sure to tighten top nut first to minimize any rod binding. Now remove the drill bit and reconnect the electrical connector.

If you need to replace the switch, first remove the column support bracket and lower the column. Disconnect the plug, remove the two nuts, lift the switch up vertically to disengage the actuator rod from the switch, and remove.
When you install the new switch, both the lock cylinder and the ignition switch must be in the LOCK position for correct adjustment. Turn the lock cylinder to LOCK and remove the key. The new switch will already be pinned in the Lock position with a metal shipping pin. Now install the new switch by first engaging the actuator rod to the switch, and then positioning the switch on the column and installing the nuts, but only finger tight! Move the switch up and down along the column, and when you locate the mid-point of rod lash, tighten the nuts, top nut first. Remove the lock pin, reconnect the battery ground cable, and check to see that it starts properly in Park and Neutral, and will not start in Drive or Reverse. Raise the steering column back up into position, and put bracket back on. Reinstall the shroud by spreading it around the column and through the instrument panel opening, making sure that the pin on the shroud is aligned with the upper hole on the column before installing the shroud screw.

I hope this works for you. Although I've done this before, these instructions are from the Ford Truck Shop Manual, and a Haynes Repair Manual. Good Luck!!!

SOURCE: 2001 ford taurus wont start and anti-theft light is blinking

Either you may be using a key that you had copied from the original or your chip went bad in your original key. Most of cars now a days have the key censor in the key so if it is the incorrect key it will not start your car or if it does not read that chip it will not start

SOURCE: 2001 ford taurus wont start

It could be bad plugs, plug wires, a bad ground will do this as well. Check to see if it has the three main things.

Spark
Air
Fuel

Anther common problem is the crank shaft speed sensor. It will cause it to not spark and not start.

Joe

Jim DuBreck

• 578 Answers
• Posted on Oct 13, 2009

SOURCE: 2001 Ford Taurus - won't start. Cranks really good

George,
Lots of possible choices... but junk yard coil as a replacement (easy for you to do) can eliminate that potential problem for just a few dollars.

If that fails, have a friend help you confirm that you have spark - by pulling a plug wire and holding it against (near) a good ground. If it sparks over 1/2 inch - it is not spark.

If that fails, pull a plug wire off a spark plug. Crank the engine for 10-15 seconds. Now remove and inspect the plug for gas wetness. If wet, it is not fuel flow.

If that fails, it could be timing, timing belt, or a large number of other issues - most cheap to fix but time consuming to locate.

Do the above tests then come back and let us know what you find!!

SOURCE: 2001 ford Taurus. Will not start. Turn key and

Check small wire on seloniod, usally it is black and pushes onto post where otheres are put on with nuts,,see if there is a voltage when key is put into start mode as this is the wire that send voltage to kick solenoid coil in to start car..if voltage replace selenoid,, if no voltage check the netural park switch which is generally under hood above sterring column,,you can also cross big post on selenoid with big screwdriver momentarrly to kick starter in,,advise to get someone who knows how to do this as you could weld screwdriver to termnials and that is a no no