Am working on a friend's 02 Taurus SE OHV 3.0L that will not start. It ran OK two days ago, then would not start. It was successfully jumped with another battery, then after it was parked for a day it will not start. Pulled the starter, had it checked and it was "marginal". I am not a Ford savvy person, so not sure if a Ford starter can be marginal. Anyway, replaced it, cleaned battery cables, posts. Still "clicks" when trying to start. Tried jumping it with no success and it still 'clicks'. The 'Check Engine' light comes on along with 'Theft' light. I have not verified ground connections are clean/sound, or tried the dome light check. I also need to check for voltage drops at +post to engine-. I checked voltage drop from end of +cable at starter to engine - and showed 11.7VDC. Should be OK?? From reading posts all day today, it seems like this is a common issue with Ford/Taurus' products with multiple solution options. Would appreciate any insight/suggestions before I start changing cables, etc. Also - is there really a fuseable link in the cable from battery to starter? Doesn't look like it, or they hide it really well. Also - where is the starter relay located (which one in the plastic box on the front of the car?).
Thanks.
