Ford Fusion Won’t Start – What Could Be Wrong?

Nothing is more inconvenient than trying to start your car and having the engine refuse to start. If you own a Ford Fusion and are experiencing this issue, we can assist you in determining the cause of your vehicle’s inability to start. We researched the Ford Fusion from a variety of professional sources to provide you with a definitive answer.

There are several possible causes for your Ford Fusion not to start. The most common reasons are as follows:

• Dead Battery
• Faulty Alternator
• Failed Starter
• Ignition Switch Failure
• Bad Battery Connections
• Fuel Pump Issues
• Smart Key Malfunction

We’ll look at each of the possible causes of your Ford Fusion not starting now that we’ve identified them. You may also be wondering if you can start a car with a bad starter or how to start a Ford Fusion with a dead battery. Read on to find out the answers to these and other questions, as well as the results of our research.

A Closer Look at the Causes of Your Ford Fusion Not Starting

In this section, we’ll look at each of the possible causes for your Ford Fusion not starting so you can figure out which one is to blame. Some can be fixed right away, while others will necessitate the purchase of new parts.

Dead Battery

A dead battery is the most common cause of a car refusing to start, according to CarFax. In most cases, a jump start from a healthy battery will solve the problem. To do this, you’ll need a donor car and a good set of jumper cables.

If jump starting does not resolve the problem, it does not rule out the possibility that the battery is faulty. Older batteries and those that have weakened over time may be too damaged to jump start. However, if you’ve replaced the battery and it still won’t turn on, you should move on to the next possible cause.

Faulty Alternator

The alternator is turned on by the belt, which also charges the battery. If your alternator isn’t working properly, it won’t charge the battery, which means your engine won’t start the next time you try to start your Ford Fusion.

In many cases, the battery warning light on your dashboard indicates a faulty alternator. To get your car started, a mechanic will need to replace your alternator entirely.

Failed Starter

If you hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, you most likely have a faulty starter motor. Ford Fusions, like any other vehicle, will rely on starter motors to start the engine. According to Car Bible, the clicking sound indicates a bad starter motor or one that is beginning to deteriorate.

When you start your Ford Fusion, pay close attention. If you can start it but hear a series of clicks before it turns over, you should have the starter motor checked as soon as possible. If you do not do this, your starter motor will eventually die, leaving you stranded.

Ignition Switch Failure

Another common cause of your Ford Fusion not starting is a faulty ignition switch. You can test this by turning your Fusion on and waiting for the dash warning lights to illuminate. If they turn off while the key is still in this position, it’s most likely the ignition switch, and you’ll need to replace it.

Bad Battery Connections

CarFax also reports that the battery connectors may be faulty, preventing the vehicle from starting. Batteries will accumulate a lot of gunk and debris around the terminals over time. Too much buildup will obstruct the battery’s ability to send its charge through the connectors.

This is a simple problem to solve. If there are a lot of buildups, gently remove them with a stiff brush. Make sure to put on gloves! If buildup is the issue, your Ford Fusion should start right away once the terminals and cables have been cleaned.

Fuel Pump Issues

Internal combustion engines require fuel to start. Anything that prevents fuel from reaching the internal chamber of your engine will certainly prevent your Fusion from starting.

A faulty fuel pump is the most common cause of this problem. It’s either stuck open, allowing too much fuel to flow through, or it’s stuck closed, preventing any fuel from entering the engine at all. In any case, you’ll need to hire a mechanic to replace it.

Smart Key Malfunction

If your Ford Fusion has a smart key that works in conjunction with a start/stop button, you may be seeing a “no key detected” message on the dashboard. This means that something is preventing the key’s signal from reaching the Fusion’s onboard computer.

Most likely, you simply need to replace the battery in the smart key fob. Keeping an extra battery in a safe place in your Ford Fusion is always a good idea, as these batteries do need to be replaced from time to time.

How Can a Car Start With a Bad Starter?

Even if your starter isn’t working, there is a way to start your car. However, it should only be done in an emergency and by those who are familiar with what is under the hood of their vehicle. There are different methods depending on whether you have a manual transmission or an automatic.

Transmission: Manual

Rusty Autos walks you through the “bump starting” procedure. Because the vehicle must be moved, this is best attempted with another person or two. Because it won’t start, you’ll have to push it by hand.

Assign someone to the driver’s seat and turn the key to the “on” position. The clutch should be depressed and the shifter in second gear. One or more people should start pushing the car.

You should depress the clutch when the car reaches 10 miles per hour. The treatment will then begin.

Automatic transmission

It is a little easier to start a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Only a long screwdriver with a plastic handle and access to the starter motor assembly are required. Begin by gently moving the metal shaft of the same tool onto the battery assembly and touching the “S” terminal of the solenoid with the tip of the screwdriver.

Have someone turn the car over while you’re in this position. The vehicle will start as long as the battery is charged.

On a Ford Fusion, where is the starter located?

The Ford Fusion’s starter is located beneath the battery. To gain access to the starter, you must first disconnect and remove the battery.

How Do You Get a Dead Ford Fusion to Start?

To start a dead Ford Fusion, you’ll need a donor car or battery, as well as a good set of jumper cables. Attach the positive cable to the positive terminal on the donor car’s battery while the donor car is running. Connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the vehicle that has a dead battery.

The negative cable should then be connected to the negative terminal on the donor car’s battery. Next, connect the negative cable to the engine block of the other vehicle. Start the car with a dead battery after a few minutes.

Disconnect the cables in the reverse order that they were connected. Keep the engine of the recently jumped car running for at least 20 minutes to allow the alternator to fully recharge the battery.

How Do You Get Into a Dead Battery Ford Fusion?

If you press the unlock button on your key fob and the doors do not unlock, you may have a dead battery within the fob itself. This does not mean you are out of luck. You’ll be able to get inside your Fusion regardless of whether the reason is a dead car battery or one that needs to be replaced in the fob.

You’ll need the valet key to do this. This is found inside the key fob and is accessible by prying the fob open. Once you’ve obtained the valet key, search for a small padlock engraved on the driver’s side door handle.

Insert the valet key into the slot beneath the lock insignia to pry open this area. This will allow you to gain access to the actual door lock, which you can then open with the valet key.

Final Thoughts

While a dead battery is the most common cause of your Ford Fusion not starting, there are numerous other possibilities. Many of these causes can be eliminated by attempting a few simple tasks. However, you may need to pay to have certain parts replaced at some point in order to successfully restart your car.