Why Won’t My Ford Fiesta Start?

If your Ford Fiesta won't start then, it can be problematic. The most frustrating part is not knowing what the reason might be. But, not to worry, we have listed the potential causes below.

If your Ford Fiesta won't start, then it could be due to the following reasons:

  • Corroded Battery Terminals
  • Loose Battery Cables
  • Dead Battery
  • Bad Starter Motor
  • Bad Starter Relay
  • Faulty Starter Solenoid
  • Bad Alternator
  • Worn Spark Plugs
  • Failed Fuel Pump
  • Clogged Air Filter
  • Clogged Fuel Filter
  • Blown Fuse
  • Engine Failure

There are several reasons why your Ford Fiesta won't start. Some of them you can solve yourself, but some you will need to consult with a certified mechanic.

This article will discuss each faulty part and why it could cause your vehicle not to start. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the Ford Fiesta, so read on!

A Ford Fiesta ST-Line Ecoboost Hybrid showcased at Automobile Barcelona 2021, Why Won't My Ford Fiesta Start?

Why Won't My Ford Fiesta Start?

The Ford Fiesta is an excellent vehicle for city and highway driving due to its excellent fuel economy. However, it is not uncommon for your car to once in a while fail to start. If this occurs, then check if one of these problems could be the reason why:

Ford Fiesta car parked on the side of the road in Rannoch Moor

 

Corroded Battery Terminals

First, clean the corrosion off your car's battery terminals. Corroded battery terminals could lead to a poor connection. If you have a smart charger, then charge your Ford Fiesta's battery for about 30 minutes before trying to start it again. Otherwise, you will need a new battery or a replacement set of cables.

Loose Battery Cables

If your car's battery cables are loose, this could cause the battery to lose power and not start. Tighten the clamps that connect your vehicle's cables with its terminals using a screwdriver to fix this.

Dead Battery

A weak or dead battery is one of the most common reasons your Ford Fiesta won't start. First, try jumpstarting your car to see if the problem is your battery. If that doesn't work, you'll either have to charge the battery or you'll need a new one.

Bad Starter Motor

The starter motor, which is responsible for turning the engine over, can cause trouble and cause the vehicle not to start. Ask a mechanic to help you check if there are any problems with the starter motor.

Bad Starter Relay

The starter relay is responsible for delivering power to the starter motor. A faulty relay can cause your Ford Fiesta not to start, so have it checked by a certified mechanic.

Faulty Starter Solenoid

A starter solenoid is a component in an automobile that helps start the engine. It is activated by the starter relay, which gets its power from the car's battery. When the key is turned in the ignition, the starter relay sends power to the starter motor, turning over the engine.

A faulty starter solenoid could also cause the vehicle not to start in the Ford Fiesta. This part can be checked and replaced by a certified mechanic.

Bad Alternator

Cleaning an alternator in a garage

The alternator is responsible for charging the battery. If it fails, then your car's battery will die and not start the engine. Have your Ford Fiesta's alternator checked to see if it is still working correctly.

Worn Spark Plugs

If the spark plugs are worn, then ignition problems might occur, which may, in turn, cause the vehicle not to start. If spark plug wires are loose or faulty, then you will need to have them checked by a certified mechanic or yourself.

If you deem that the spark plugs are brown or black, then that is a sign that they are worn and need to be replaced.

Failed Fuel Pump

The fuel pump pumps the gasoline from the tank to the engine. Your car won't start since no fuel will get into its system if it fails.

If you turn the key and hear a whining noise coming from the fuel tank, that is a sign that your fuel pump has failed and needs to be replaced.

Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter is one of the most common reasons your Ford Fiesta won't start. First, remove the air filter and remove any debris. Then clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth to ensure no dirt particles are left. Replace the air filter if there is any problem, and then try again to see if your car starts.

Clogged Fuel Filter

A clogged fuel filter will prevent your car from starting since it can't deliver the fuel to the engine. If you notice a loss of engine power and see brown or black smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, this could signify that the gasoline is not getting into your Ford Fiesta's engine.

Blown Fuse

A blown fuse means that a circuit has become overloaded and needs to be repaired. This can cause the vehicle not to start in your Ford Fiesta. If you find a blown fuse, have it replaced by a certified mechanic or try replacing it yourself with a new one of the same amperage rating as the old one.

Engine Failure

The worst-case scenario is that your Ford Fiesta engine has failed. However, if you have a diagnostic scan performed, it will show the code that describes the problem.

What is a Ford Fiesta immobilizer?

When car keys [the remote] and the electronic immobilizer work together, they help to keep your Ford Fiesta secure. With it activated, even someone with a copied key won't be able to start or unlock your car.

To start your Ford Fiesta, you need both the key and transmitter [remote] as well as the correct automatic transmission gear position. If you don't have either of them, your car won't start.

How do I turn off the immobilizer on a Ford Fiesta?

To disable the immobilizer on a Ford Fiesta, follow these steps:

  1. First, put the key into the driver's door and lock it.
  2. Next, without removing the key, unlock the car.
  3. Lastly, leave the key in the door lock for 30-40 seconds.

If this doesn't work and the immobilizer is still malfunctioning, then you will need to contact the Ford dealer for assistance.

How do you reset a Ford Fiesta Key?

To reset or reprogram a Ford Fiesta key, then follow these steps:

  1. First, sitting in the driver's seat, shut all the doors, and then open only the driver's door.
  2. Now press the unlock button and turn the vehicle from the OFF position to the ON position 8 times with 10-second intervals.
  3. You should notice that the door lock and unlock. If they don't, repeat the second step but turn the key to the OFF to ON position with shorter intervals.
  4. If the doors lock and unlock, press any button on the key remote within 8 seconds of the door locks cycling.
  5. Once the doors lock again, you can turn your key to the OFF position.

If you have an extra set of keys, you can repeat these steps for programming.

Car key in ignition lock

What are common problems with Ford Fiesta?

Like any vehicle, the Ford Fiesta has been known to have common problems. For example, one of the biggest complaints is the infotainment center not working properly.

In addition, the powershift transmission has been said to fail. This problem affects the model years from 2011 through 2016.

Lastly, for 2011-2014 Ford Fiesta's, several complaints about the doors flying open. This can be a scary situation when driving down the road.

With that being said, if you are looking to buy a used Ford Fiesta, it is always important to look at a CarFax first. This will help you to see if there have been any accidents or if it has been in the shop for repairs.

Is a Ford Fiesta cheap to fix?

One benefit of the Ford Fiesta is lower annual repair costs than other similar makes. Consumers can expect to pay $550 a year in repairs. This is excellent considering the national average for compact cars is around $650.

However, it is important to understand that it varies from car to car. For example, one person may own a Ford Fiesta that they rarely have repairs to do. Yet, at the same time, someone else could be stuck with a hefty repair frequently.

Woman repairing a car in auto repair shop

How long do Fiestas last?

On average, a Ford Fiesta can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. But, of course, this will vary depending on the owner and how well they take care of their car.

There are a few things that you can do to increase the life span of your car.

The most important is to keep up with routine maintenance. This includes changing the oil, checking the tires, and rotating them.

Another thing that you can do is make sure that you buy a car known for its durability. The Ford Fiesta is an excellent example of this.

In addition, try not to drive your car too hard or too fast. This can put a lot of stress on the engine and cause it to wear down prematurely.

Lastly, always keep an eye on the warning lights. If you see any lights come on, take your car in for repairs right away.

Final Thoughts

Overall the Ford Fiesta is a car with many positive qualities. It is cheap to repair and can last up to 200,000 miles. However, like any car, you may run into trouble with your Fiesta not starting.

In this case, check the basics such as the corroded battery terminals, loose battery cables, and a dead battery. From there, if you are overwhelmed, contact a Ford mechanic for help.

For more topics like this one, check out these posts:

How Much Does A Ford Fiesta Weigh? [Manual Vs. Automatic Discussed]

How Long Is A Ford Fusion?

Can You Flat Tow A Ford Fusion?

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