Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start?

The Lincoln Navigator is the perfect vehicle for the modern family. It is a full-size luxury SUV that has been around since 1998.

It had a few redesigns over the years, but it’s always been known for its spacious interior, powerful engine, and luxurious features.

It may be luxurious and provide an unparalleled driving experience, but this model is not exempt from issues that plague other vehicles.

Some are related to starting issues, which have led many owners of the luxury SUV to say, “Why won’t my Lincoln Navigator start?”. I am here to provide you with the answer.

Let’s see the possible reasons:

1. Weak Or Dead Battery
2. Dead Key Fob Battery
3. Blown Fuse
4. Spark Plug Failure
5. Failing Fuel Pump

As you can see, these are the most common reasons which can result in your car being unable to turn over. None of them are too major to be concerned about.

This article will discuss them in detail, so you can know more about these issues.

What Would Cause A Lincoln Navigator To Not Start?

You are stranded, getting late for your office, or at a gas station wondering why your Lincoln Navigator acted up now.

Well, there could be several reasons and some of them which were mentioned above.

This section will take an in-depth look at them!

1: Weak Or Dead Battery

The first reason could be a weak or dead battery. Your Lincoln Navigator might have been in storage for a long time or just sitting in the garage with the lights on overnight.

Either way, it is sensible to conclude that the battery drained down.

Another possible answer is that the battery is completely dead. This can happen when it has reached the end of its lifespan.

This will result in it being unable to charge and also unable to provide any power to the starter motor at all.

Lastly, you can confirm it by attaching a voltmeter to the battery posts. If the reading is below 12V, Navigator’s battery is dead.

What Should You Do About It?

• When your battery is weak, you can do a few things to try and get its charge level back up.
• First, make sure the battery is fully charged. If it’s not, use a trickle charger to bring it up to full capacity over a few days—or simply replace the battery if that doesn’t work.
• If you have access to an AGM battery, consider swapping out your old one for one of those instead.
• An AGM battery is more durable than most traditional car batteries and will last longer.
• Plus, this type of battery is completely maintained for free too. So you don’t need to add water every few months to keep it running.
• It is a bit expensive, but the investment is worth it in the long run.

2: Dead Key Fob Battery

Your key fob is a small device with a lithium-ion battery that powers the transmitter. This transmitter lets you unlock the doors and start your Lincoln Navigator by pushing a button.

If you find yourself locked out of your car, it’s probably because your key fob battery has died. Well, if the battery dies, you will also not be able to start your SUV.

This is a security mechanism that most auto manufacturers build into their vehicles. It is an anti-theft system that prevents the SUV from being stolen when no key is around.

What Should You Do About It?

• If your dead key fob battery is on your Lincoln Navigator, you can easily replace it.
• First, locate the battery in the back of the key fob. It’s a small silver-colored cylinder shaped like a watch battery.
• You will need to remove the cover to access it. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the cover and pull out the old battery.
• Confirm the model number of the cell that is going in with the one you are replacing.
• If you are wondering about the cost, a new battery will only cost a few dollars.
• It will last for three to four years at a minimum. So you don’t have to worry about it dying on you anytime soon. It can be found at any hardware shop with ease.

3: Blown Fuse

If your Lincoln Navigator’s engine doesn’t turn over, it could be because of a blown fuse. The fuse can belong to the ignition switch or the fuel pump.

If you have a blown fuse, first check your owner’s manual for the location of the fuse. Then, remove the cover and look for a blown fuse.

You will have to pull everyone out until you find one that has a broken contact wire inside it. It can be hard to see, so make sure you use a flashlight or something for a better view.

Although it is possible that a blown fuse could be the source of the issue, it is unlikely. You should be aware of other symptoms that could result in your SUV not turning over.

What Should You Do About It?

• If you’re going to replace a blown fuse, you should first check all the fuses in that circuit.
• If any of them are blown, replace the fuse with one of the same amperages, then try to start your Lincoln Navigator.
• If it doesn’t work, try finding another blown fuse and replacing it.
• Once your vehicle starts, drive it around to ensure everything is working properly before replacing any other fuses that may have been blown.
• A fuse blowing has a low chance of happening. So, it could be that there is an electrical short in the SUV which caused this to happen.

4: Spark Plug Failure

The most common cause of a Lincoln Navigator’s inability to start up is the failure of one or more spark plugs.

This can happen if your spark plugs are too old or if you have neglected to change them recently.

If you are having trouble starting your vehicle, check your spark plugs first; this is typically all needed to resolve the problem.

What the spark plugs do is, ignite the fuel so the engine can run. If they are not working up to par or are not working at all, then the engine may be unable to start.

Failing plugs can also result in stopping your car altogether while on the road, which is dangerous.

What Should You Do About It?

• When looking at spark plug failure on your Lincoln Navigator, you first must replace all of them.
• If you only replace one, you’ll likely have to do it repeatedly because others may be nearing the end of their lifespan too.
• If you replace all the spark plugs, you’ll be able to avoid this problem soon. Plus, purchasing many instead of individual ones will be cheaper.
• It’s worth it to take care of this immediately so that you don’t have to deal with any more problems down the road.
• Also, make sure to buy platinum or iridium spark plugs only. They last longer and are more durable.

5: Failing Fuel Pump

One of the most common reasons that can cause starting issues could be a failing fuel pump. The fuel pump sends fuel to the engine and keeps it running.

If the fuel pump is not working properly, it will not send enough fuel to the engine, and your Lincoln Navigator will not work properly.

Moreover, if you’ve noticed that your SUV is having trouble starting or running well after driving for a while, one of the first things you should check is whether or not there’s enough fuel in the tank.

Lastly, if the issue mostly arises after you have filled your vehicle up with gas and driven around a bit, then there’s likely something wrong with your fuel system—and possibly even with your fuel pump itself.

What Should You Do About It?

• If you’re having trouble with your fuel pump, one of the first things you should do is check its fuse. If that’s blown, it could mean the pump has gone out.
• If your fuse isn’t the problem, you may need to replace your fuel pump. This simple fix can be done at home by most people with some basic tools and a little knowledge.
• You’ll need to find the instructions for replacing your specific model’s pump online. But it is recommended that you opt for a mechanic for this job.
• They will ensure that the correct model of the pump is being put in, and they will also ensure that the process will take as little time as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start With New Battery?

If a new battery has not solved the issues, you should try to charge it.

You can either use a trickle charger or settle for jump-starting the engine.

This will get the alternator going and will help in charging the battery.

If jump starting does not help, the starter motor has probably failed.

Q2. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start Even With A Jump?

If jumpstarting is not working then the first thing to check is the battery.

If the terminals are corroded, or the cables are frayed, jump-starting the engine will not help. You will need to clean the corrosion or replace the cables to get your Navigator to start up.

Q3. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start But Lights Work?

If your lights work, but your engine is not working, it might be because your battery is low on charge.

This can happen if you don’t often drive enough or use a lot of electrical components with the Lincoln Navigator not running. This can drain the battery. It could also be the alternator.

Q4. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start But Cranks?

There may be an issue with your spark plugs or fuel pump—you’ll want to check those out, as they can result in the cranking sound you are hearing.

This happens when the combustion process cannot take place properly. When you are doing so, you should also replace the fuel filter.

Q5. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start Just Clicks?

The clicking issue is probably due to a blown fuse, a dead battery, or a faulty starter motor.

All of these are electrical components, and they can result in the dreaded clicking sound being produced.

Make sure to check all of them and replace them, if necessary, to avoid future problems.

Q6. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start In The Cold Weather?

Your battery needs more CCA. If a battery is manufactured for cold weather conditions, it is designed to have more cold cranking amperes.

If you have recently visited a cold area from a warm one, chances are that your battery is not up to the mark to reliably start the engine in such conditions.

Q7. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start After I Get Gas?

If the issue has risen specifically after getting gas, there is almost a certain chance that the fuel filter has been clogged.

It filters out contaminants, but it also gets clogged during the process. If it is clean, then it is likely that the fuel pump is at fault. You should get it professionally diagnosed.

Q8. Why Won’t My Lincoln Navigator Start But Radio Works?

If the radio is working, it probably means one of the fuses has blown. It falls upon you to narrow down the source of the issue.

It could be the fuel pump or the ignition system. There is also a chance of the battery being low on charge or a faulty starter motor.

Related: What Are The Worst Years For The Lincoln Navigator?

Conclusion

So, there you have it. You’ve fixed your Lincoln Navigator and can now start it up again.

Hopefully, this was a simple fix, but if not, I hope that I gave you some insight into how to troubleshoot the problem.

If you’re still having trouble with your SUV after following all of these steps, feel free to contact a certified mechanic to get the issue fixed.

You certainly won’t be asking the question, “Why won’t my Lincoln Navigator start?” again. I hope you can get your vhicle up and running in no time and without spending too much!

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.