Why would a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer randomly NOT start When you turn the key the interior lights go on but it won't turn over Not the battery Two dealerships can't figure it out?

Answer 1

Recently I had an experience with my mt-neer not starting, after replaceing fuel pump and computer, I found out that the KEY is a special key that has to be programmed and has a chip in it. If anything happens to disable this key the engine will not run. This may not be the problem but might be worth checking out. By the way the keys cost about 80 to 100 dollars. My answer::: I have a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Before you spend a bunch of money check the BATTERY CABLES. The cables get a severe deposit of acid which will dissolve the copper wiring below the battery cable, especially the positive one. This should be a first thing to look at by a dealership, but I have found they pass over this problem time and again, only to sell you a complete tuneup, diagnostic, etc. etc. and then on the 3rd trip they will change out the battery cables, after you have gone through 1000 dollars for some new cables that you could have installed for 35 or 40 dollars. The cables are large as they need all that copper wiring to pull the load of the starter motor to turn over your engine. The few remaining filaments of copper in your wiring will indeed be enough to light up your interior lights but by no way is the cable in good enough shape to pull the load of the starter motor. (CHECK YOUR BATTERY CABLES) This problem sells a lot of battery replacements also. Check the cables thoroughly before buying a new battery also. (a new battery will sometimes cure the problem for a short time as it will have enough power to start the car though all the corroded wires on a bad cable for a short time, then you will be back to where you started, you will still need new battery cables.