1999 Taurus ignition switch

A neighbor has a 1999 Taurus. One day when he ran an errand half a mile away, it would turn over but not start when he tried to come home. A few minutes later it started without trouble.

There was no more trouble until the day his brother drove to buy groceries three miles away. He returned without trouble, but when he tried to run another errand a few minutes later, it turned over but wouldn't start.

The dealer kept it twelve days. It started every time.

Decades ago when a SAAB would turn over but not start, I discovered that the when the ignition switch was turned to START, it switched off the ignition (bad contact). (I remember I didn't have to replace the switch. I may have started by using a jumper wire for the ignition and fixed it with contact cleaner.)

Could that happen with a 1999 Taurus? Perhaps while driving resistance in the switch heats it up so that it may not power the ignition (or fuel system) when turned to START until it has cooled sufficiently.

Reply to
E Z Peaces
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Check the negative battery cable. It splits near the radiator to provide ground to a controll on top of or near the radiator. Some have corroded in cable junction resulting in ground failure to ECM and ignition.

Lugnut

Reply to
lugnut

Thanks, I'll tell him.

Reply to
E Z Peaces

Also check the connections on the switch itself and the connector to the switch. Don't know about the 99 Taurus, but Aerostars had the problem, and so did Contour/Mystique. Shitty connectors is ONE thing I don't like about Fords. (about the only thing that's given me "issues" with my 96 Mystique)

Reply to
clare

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