Ford Mondeo, aka the world car, is known for its reliability and is one of the best road companions you could have. Even the most well-made cars can have problems starting up sometimes. If your Ford Mondeo won’t start and makes a clicking noise, there could be several potential causes.

The ignition system of your Ford is made up of several key parts, including the starter motor, solenoid, and battery. If these components are not working properly, your Mondeo might not start and produce a clicking noise instead.

Common causes include a failing (or dead) 12V battery, worn-out starter motor, locked-up engine, clogged fuel filter, corrosion on battery terminals, malfunctioning solenoid valve, or a defective alternator.

The battery is the prime suspect in most cases. You can either jump-start it or replace it entirely to eliminate this issue.

Let’s look at each of these potential causes and their possible solutions.

7 Causes of Ford Mondeo Won’t Start and Their Solutions

As mentioned before, several potential causes can keep your Ford Mondeo from starting. We will now look at each of these causes in detail and see what solutions you can try to get your car up and running again.

1. Weak/Dead 12V Battery

Problem: The battery is the main suspect if the engine doesn’t crank upon ignition and produces a single clicking noise or a repeated one near the dash. In some cases, the battery can operate the starter solenoid — the source of clicking noise — but does not hold enough charge to crank the engine. Other symptoms include the dash and everything resetting, slow turnover, speedo & mileage LCD blanking out, etc.

The ground connection between the battery and the chassis sometimes goes bad due to corrosion. This is the root cause of the malfunctioning starter motor and its solenoid. It keeps your Mondeo from starting and produces repeated clicking noises too.

Lastly, a parasitic battery drain can also be the culprit. In such a scenario, there is an abnormal power discharge after turning off the engine. It can be due to a short circuit in the car’s electrical wiring.

Solution: First obvious step is to check if the battery has lost charge or not. Grab a multimeter, connect it to the poles of the battery, and see if it reads 12 to 13 volts or not. Also, sometimes the battery might hold enough charge to run the stereo (20 amp) or the headlights but not the starter (300-600 amp). This may trick you into thinking that the issue might not be the battery.

However, in most cases, the engine cranks up after jump-starting the battery. To be on the safe side, make sure you replace the battery ASAP.

To check the ground connection, you can use a multimeter to do a conductivity test between the battery and the chassis/engine. The reading should be zero ohms, indicating no resistance between the two points. This means the ground connection is working as it should.

2. Worn Out Starter Motor

Problem: The starter motor can break down due to corrosion, overheating, or electrical problems. If the starter motor is not working properly, it will not be able to provide enough power to start the engine — dashboard lights will come up, headlights too, but the engine won’t crank up. You can confirm it by turning the key to start the engine, and if you hear a clicking noise, the starter motor is to blame.

The solenoid provides a large voltage to the starter motor. When you hear the clicking noise while starting your Modeo, it means that the solenoid cannot provide enough power to the starter motor to turn the flywheel and crank the engine. If you hear multiple clicks, it could be because of faulty high current contacts inside the starter-solenoid unit.

Also, without a healthy triggering mechanism, there won’t be any base signal to trigger the starter. This could also lead to the clicking noise issue.

Furthermore, the teeth not meshing with the ring gear or engine the engine being seized can also cause this issue.

Solution: You can use a metal tool or stick to tap the starter motor and turn it on. It may help if there is anything stuck in the motor or in the case of misalignment of gears. However, if it fails, you should replace the starter motor with a new one.

To check the solenoid, you must confirm continuity between the S terminal on the solenoid and the armature housing beside it. Take one lead of the multimeter and connect it to the S terminal and the other to the armature housing. If the multimeter beeps, the solenoid is good. Otherwise, you’ll have to replace it.

3. Frozen Engine

Problem: If you park your Mondeo out in the open in winters, the engine can freeze or lock up due to the cold. The car won’t start and will make a clicking noise instead. This is a temporary issue and can be resolved quite easily.

Other issues like worn out or lost components, rust, etc., can also lead to the engine being locked up. This will keep the engine from revving up. Furthermore, excessive heat and insufficient oil can cause the pistons, piston rings, or rod bearings to fuse together.

Moreover, if the car hasn’t been used for long, the components like pistons can catch rust and get stuck. Hyperlocking and vapor locking (for low-pressure fuel systems) can also keep your car from starting.

Solution: The first option is to turn on the car and wait for it to warm up. If the problem persists, you can use a breaker bar and wrench to get the engine moving manually. To completely avoid this issue, we recommend that you refill the coolant before cold weather arrives.

As for the other issues, you’ll have to contact a certified mechanic. Anything wrong with the engine should be sorted out as quickly as possible.

4. Clogged Fuel Filter

Problem: The fuel filter is responsible for preventing dirt and debris from entering the fuel system. Over time, it can get clogged with dirt and grime, restricting fuel flow to the engine. This can cause starting problems as well as performance issues when driving. You can check if the fuel filter is clogged by looking for any dirt and debris.

Solution: Cleaning the fuel filter is almost impossible, so we recommend that you should get it replaced. You can do this yourself if you have some experience with car maintenance. However, it is best to leave it to a professional if you are not confident about doing it yourself.

5. Corrosion On Battery Terminals

Problem: If you see any green/white/blue powdery substance on the battery terminals, it is a clear sign of corrosion. It is caused by a chemical reaction between the lead and acid in the battery. This will keep the starter motor from receiving enough power. You can clean the corrosion with a wire brush, sandpaper, and baking soda.

Solution: Disconnect the battery’s negative terminal to avoid accidents. Use a wire brush to remove any corrosion from the terminals. You can then use a cloth to clean the terminals and apply some corrosion and rust inhibitors to prevent this from happening in the future.

6. Bad Alternator

Problem: The alternator might be in bad shape if you hear a clicking noise while turning the ignition key. The alternator is responsible for charging the battery and powering the electrical system when the engine is running. If it fails, the battery will eventually die, and the car won’t receive enough voltage output to start.

Solution: You can test the alternator by starting the engine and turning on the headlights. If the headlights are dim or they flicker, it shows that the alternator is not working properly. The only solution is to replace the alternator with a new one.

7. Faulty Solenoid Valve

Problem: The solenoid valve is responsible for opening and closing the fuel lines to let fuel flow into the car’s engine. If this is not working properly, you may have difficulty starting your car.

Solution:  You can check the solenoid by testing your fuel pump. With a wrench, you can adjust the lever on the fuel pump so that it is slightly longer than normal. This provides extra pressure to the fuel lines through a solenoid valve.

The Bottom Line

These are the most common reasons your Ford Mondeo won’t start and makes a clicking noise. If your car battery, alternator, and fuel filter are working fine, you can also look for a blown fuse, engine failure, or transmission failure. If you are still having trouble starting your car, we recommend taking it to a professional mechanic for a diagnosis.

FAQs

Why won’t my Ford Mondeo start and makes a clicking noise?

There could be various reasons why your Ford Mondeo won’t start and makes a clicking noise. Common reasons include a faulty starter motor, clogged fuel filter, corrosion on battery terminals, or a defective alternator.

Can I drive my car if the alternator is not working properly?

No, you should not drive your car if the alternator is not working properly. This is because the alternator is responsible for charging the battery and powering the electrical system when the engine is running. If it fails, the battery will eventually die, causing the car to fail to start.

How do I know if my Ford Mondeo battery is dead?

There are a few signs that indicate that your battery might be dead. These include dim headlights, a clicking noise when you turn the key, or slow engine cranking. If you notice any of these signs, we recommend you take your car to a professional mechanic for a diagnosis.

How much does it cost to replace the battery?

It can cost you anywhere between $45 to $250, depending on the type and quality.

Apart from battery failure, what other reasons can cause clicking noise?

It could be an issue with the starter, starter relay, fusible link, ignition switch, immobilizer, or clutch switch.

What are the symptoms of a faulty Ford Mondeo starter motor?

Some of the most common symptoms of a faulty starter motor include slow engine cranking, clicking noise when starting on, or the engine failing to start.

What’s the average life of a starter motor?

The average life of a starter motor is 100,000 to 150,000 miles.