Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start?

Ford Fusion was produced from 2005 to 2020. It was and still is a solid vehicle with an amazing look.

The Ford Fusion checks all the right boxes, making it a great sedan. It has a spacious interior, solid performance, and amazing drive quality.

No matter how great a vehicle is, it is not perfect. The Ford Fusion is also one that fits this description.

With so many pros of owning the sedan, it has its cons too. One of them is related to having starting problems.

Many Ford Fusion owners have been left to wonder, “Why won’t my Ford Fusion start?”.

The answer is not simple, and there can be more than one reason.

Let’s list down all of them first:

1. Weak Battery
2. Corrosion On The Battery Terminals
3. Glitched Out Immobilizer System
4. Faulty Spark Plugs
5. Clogged Fuel Filter

Do not worry. All of these issues will be the sole focus of this article, so you can finally diagnose exactly which one is preventing your Ford Fusion from starting.

So, without wasting any time, let’s jump straight into it!

What Would Cause A Ford Fusion To Not Start?

As mentioned in the introduction, many reasons can lead to the Ford Fusion not starting.

Fortunately for you, this section will cover all the common reasons, so you can get back on the road as soon as possible.

1: Weak Battery

If your Ford Fusion is having starting issues, you may have a weak battery. It is responsible for giving current to the starter motor, which cranks the engine.

When a battery loses power, it can be hard to get your car started again. Normally, the car will have a lit-up battery indicator when it is faulty.

There can be two reasons for this to happen, either the battery is out of charge, or it is completely dead.

The first one happens only when the alternator is not functioning as intended or when you leave the lights on overnight.

The second one is normal and can occur when the battery is close to the end of its lifespan, which is around 4 to 5 years.

What Should You Do About It?

If you’re having trouble with your car’s battery, it may be time to replace it. However, before you do that, there are a few things you can try to get it back up and running.

Here are some steps you can take if your car is having trouble starting:

• Try charging it for several hours. This option is not viable for people who are not at home and cannot get easy access to a charger.
• If you are stranded, then you can get the battery jumped. You only need another vehicle with a healthy battery and a pair of jumper cables.
• If these solutions don’t turn out to be viable, then the only thing you can do is replace them.
• You should use AGM batteries when replacing yours because they are built to last a long time, are more durable, and don’t even require maintenance.

2: Corrosion On The Terminals

Corrosion on the terminals is one of the most common reasons when it comes to starting problems.

This can happen when the battery has been left in a state of neglect for too long or if it’s been exposed to extreme weather conditions.

The problem is, when corrosion builds up on the terminals, it breaks down the connection between the battery and the rest of your car’s electrical system.

This means no power can flow from the battery to other parts of your vehicle and no current will flow to the starter motor, preventing it from cranking the engine.

Fortunately, this issue can be fixed without replacing the battery. Continue reading to find out how to fix corrosion on your Ford Fusion’s battery terminals.

What Should You Do About It?

• If your Ford Fusion’s battery terminals have begun to corrode, you’re in luck.
• There are a few quick and easy ways to remove the corrosion and get your car back on the road.
• First, sprinkle baking soda on both terminals.
• Then pour vinegar over the top of the baking soda. You’ll know it’s working when you see bubbles forming.
• Let this sit for about 10 minutes, and then use a wire brush to scrub away all of the corrosion.
• In some cases, the corrosion is too strong that these methods don’t work. In cases like those, a person is recommended to replace the battery.

3: Glitched Out Immobilizer System

If your Ford Fusion refuses to start, the anti-theft system might be a problem.

The Immobilizer system is responsible for ensuring that your key fob can only start the car and that it’s in the right hands.

If this system has been damaged or has malfunctioned, it could be causing issues with starting your car.

The problem is not too frequent and is not too major as well. It can be annoying, as you could get late.

Regardless, the fix is quite simple, and after implementing it, there is little to no chance that you will face the issue again.

Normally, with issues like this, it is recommended that you bring in your Ford Fusion to a certified Ford dealership for diagnosis.

They’ll be able to tell you if there’s an issue with this system and how to fix it. But there is a better alternative.

Read below to find out!

What Should You Do About It?

• The issue can be resolved by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, then waiting a few minutes before reconnecting it.
• If this does not resolve the issue, changing the battery in your key fob may be necessary.
• Let me explain how this can happen. The system is digital. It can misdiagnose the key, resulting in the engine not starting for security reasons.
• Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery will reset the system, allowing it to authenticate the key.
• Yes, the fix is that simple. Your Ford Fusion can be back up and running within a few minutes! No need to pay any diagnostic fee or labor charges.

4: Faulty Spark Plugs

Your Ford Fusion will be unable to start if the spark plugs are faulty. This issue is common with aging vehicles.

Spark plugs ignite the fuel in your engine and make it run smoothly. If they’re broken, they won’t trigger a spark, which means your engine won’t be able to run or even start properly.

The most common cause of faulty spark plugs is improper maintenance. If you don’t change your spark plugs regularly (Ford recommends every 100,000 miles).

Or if you are using low-quality ones, then there’s a chance that those installed will break down prematurely and prevent your engine from starting up.

What Should You Do About It?

• If you’re experiencing trouble with your Ford Fusion’s spark plugs, it’s time to replace them.
• The problem is that faulty spark plugs can cause the engine to misfire, leading to major road problems. Yes, that is another issue associated with faulty plugs.
• You should never just replace one or two of your spark plugs—replace all of them.
• And when you’re shopping for new ones, don’t settle for regular copper or silver plugs; use iridium or platinum ones only.
• These will ensure that your engine gets the best performance possible and stays running smoothly no matter what.
• They are also the longest-lasting ones, so you can rest assured that you will get the best quality out there.

5: Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter is a small part found in the fuel line and keeps dirt and other contaminants out of your engine.

If the filter is clogged, then your Ford Fusion won’t be able to get enough fuel to start.

The most common reason for a clogged fuel filter is debris from gas. Yes, the gas you put in your engine is not entirely clean.

Vehicle manufacturers know that, and that is why they include a fuel filter in the vehicle.

It is responsible for letting only the fuel pass through, so the contaminants cannot wreak havoc on the engine.

What Should You Do About It?

• If you’re experiencing a clogged fuel filter in your Ford Fusion, there are two options: replace it or clean it.
• If you have decided to get a new fuel filter, you can replace it yourself.
• It’s important to note that this is a job best left to a trained professional, as many small parts may be difficult for an amateur to handle.
• But if you follow the correct tutorial, you can certainly do the task at home and save yourself from those labor charges.
• Cleaning is an option you can rely on only when you cannot replace the filter.
• Even if you do clean it and get the car up and running, you should take out time from your schedule to get it replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start With New Battery?

If your Ford Fusion does not start with a new battery, the problem could be any number of things.

The first thing I would do is check the battery to make sure that it’s not just drained.

If the battery is not an issue, then the next step is to look into the starter motor itself. It could have become faulty.

Q2. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start Even With A Jump?

If you are unable to jumpstart your Ford Fusion then the battery is completely dead.

If you’re sure that the battery is good and it still refuses to start, make sure that no wires are loose or terminals are corroded.

If they are, try cleaning them off and tightening them down again.

Q3. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start But Lights Work?

If your Ford Fusion is unable to start, but the lights work, it could be because the battery is almost drained.

If you’ve had your car idle for a while, or if it’s been sitting unused for a few months, this can happen. The best thing to do is to let the battery fully charge.

Q4. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start But Cranks?

The first thing to check is the spark plugs. If they’re faulty or misfiring, it’ll be hard for your engine to turn over and start-up.

This can also result in a cranking sound being produced. If they are fine, then it is the fuel filter that is clogged. Regardless of which one it is, replacing is the best thing to do.

Q5. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start Just Clicks?

There are a couple of things that could be going on here—the first is that your battery may not be getting charged properly because of a problem with your alternator.

A drained battery results in a clicking sound. It could also be an issue with the electrical system, which can be difficult to fix.

Q6. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start In The Cold Weather?

Your Ford Fusion’s battery may not have been designed to work in cold weather conditions.

A battery needs to have at least 800 cranking amperes for a reliable startup in low temperatures.

If you live in an area with such conditions, then you need to invest in a battery designed for such usage.

Q7. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start After I Get Gas?

There are several possible reasons why this happens, and the first thing to check is your fuel filter.

It can get clogged over time, which can result in fuel not being able to pass through. A rare chance is that the fuel pump has failed. It is responsible for sending fuel to the engine.

Q8. Why Won’t My Ford Fusion Start But Radio Works?

The easiest way to check if your battery is low on charge is to listen to the radio while you try to start your Ford Fusion.

If the radio works, but your car still have starting issues, then that’s a pretty good indication that your battery is low on charge.

You need to charge it up using a charger or by jumping it using another battery.

Related: What Are The Worst Years For The Ford Fusion?

Conclusion

There are a lot of things that can cause starting problems, so try to narrow down your problem by checking the battery and terminals first.

If they’re in good working order, then you may have a more serious issue with your car. If you cannot figure it out, the best thing to do is to contact a mechanic.

He will be able to professionally diagnose the issue, so you don’t have to spend money on parts that do not need replacement.

I hope you got the answer to your question, “Why won’t my Ford Fusion start?”.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.