Just guessing here, but it sounds like you need a PATS key to start your car. (passive anti-theft system). I don't know if your particular vehicle requires one, look in the owner's manual. If you have the original Mercury key, it would have a plastic head containing a computer chip (transponder). Contact your local Ford, Mercury, Lincoln dealer and ask for the Parts Dept., or a help desk. Have your make, model and VIN number handy. If your car needs a pats key, dealer prices can be high, try getting one on ebay. You'll still need to go to a dealer or a specialized locksmith shop and have it programmed. If you find out that your car doesn't require a pats key, then I'd check to see if the ignition key tumbler needs replaced.
Generally the problem is either a defective neutral safety switch or a bad ignition switch (not ignition key lock).
Check the neutral safety switch,it is located on the transmission or on the steering column ,under the dash.
Could be,low battery, loose or dirty battery connections, starter is bad, starter solenoid is bad, neutral safety switch bad or out of adjustment, starter relay is bad,
Possibly a neutral lockout switch, possibly a bad connection, possibly an ignition switch.
ignition switch...baterry cables...starter...ALARM????
Mounted to the starter.
Your neutral safety switch-try putting car in neutral and trying it
Could beAlso check the starter solenoid and loose or corroded battery cablesand starter
Starter Ignition Neutral switch
They are dark purple. It goes from the ignition switch to the neutral safety switch to the starter.
the answer is the neutral saifty switch relays the starting signal to starter the neutral safety switch relays the starting signal to starter from ignition switch they look the same but plug up different make sure you have right neutral switch
Generally the problem is either a defective neutral safety switch or a bad ignition switch (not ignition key lock).
I know about the starter and ignition, but I click the ignition and then it clicks, then when I press and hold the starter it starts then immediatly stalls, I have tried it in neutral, in gear, with clutch, without clutch, with clutch and throttle.
Seized Engine? Weak or dead battery? Loose or corroded battery cables? Bad starter solenoid? Bad starter? Bad neutral safety switch? Bad ignition switch?
Starter, battery, battery connections, neutral switch,
Bad neutral or clutch safety switch? Bad starter? bad starter solenoid?
Possibly the neutral switch is at fault.