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1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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courie969
New User
May 4, 2012, 9:38 AM
Post #1 of 6
(3854 views)
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1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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Hi everyone - Having some issues with my 1995 Ford Taurus GL. It's got 160,000 miles on it, but I honestly don't know what kind of engine - though I would assume it's the standard issued one.
It was driving fine last night, no issues.
This morning I go to start my car and it struggles - I give it a little gas and it starts right up. The all the lights on my console turn on (battery, check engine, oil, ect.) and then it completely dies.
So, I tried it again - same exact thing. I popped the hood, looked at the battery, cleaned the leads with the wire brush and tried again to no avail.
Now trying to start the car results in the engine not turning over, an odd "clicking" noise under the hood, and nothing. If I pump the gas, the engine will turn over, but again it quickly dies. After the fact, there is an odd, strong exhaust smell, and smoke coming out of the exhaust. (Maybe that's because I was giving it gas, but I figured..)
All the lights on the inside are working when I turn the key, and the battery is fairly new. I'm thinking it may be that the alternator has gone out. But on the other hand, we were having some wicked storms last night, with torrential downpours of rain, so maybe it's because it's wet... but, I have no idea.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, but please keep in mind that I know little to nothing about cars.
Thanks in advance.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 4, 2012, 10:03 AM
Post #2 of 6
(3830 views)
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Re: 1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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Try charging up that battery with a charger that indicates a full charge. If no change then test that battery new or not it may be bad and nothing is going to work properly. If that makes it run quickly check the charging system for output if only voltage with it running that it does or doesn't put anything out.
The exhaust smell isn't surprising yet with an engine that plain stalls out like that,
T
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courie969
New User
May 5, 2012, 5:29 AM
Post #3 of 6
(3774 views)
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Re: 1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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An update - due to the massive storms and flooding in the area, it turns out there was water in the gas tank. Still working to correct the problem.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 5, 2012, 6:48 AM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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If so somehow may require taking tank out, empty it, clean it and get it back in order. PITA for sure. Not to do but if mine I'd put a drain plug at bottom of fuel tanks like they used to in the stone age and from that era,
T
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courie969
New User
May 5, 2012, 7:18 AM
Post #5 of 6
(3758 views)
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Re: 1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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We've been bleeding the lines the best we can, and we were able to get the engine hot last night so the car would idle. This morning though, same problem - unfortunately I live in an apartment complex and the neighbors are complaining about the noise and gas smells from letting the engine run to burn through the gas. I don't have any way to get the tank out, or even have the money to take it to a mechanic to do so for me.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 5, 2012, 7:20 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: 1995 Taurus - starts and then dies
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If there is water in the fuel tank, your going to have to drop the tank and clean it out.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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