i have a 1999 ford taurus i just got and im triing to get a idea on whats wrong... the previous owner said they had the battery and starter tested and they were good... the lights inside come on and all... i know i have had a few starters pass the test when they were junk before... but is there any other common problems with these?

 

There are a few possibilites, but rather than take the word of the previous owner, I would first get the Battery checked. Lights put much less draw on the battery than the Starter, so a battery with just a couple of good cells could run lights and not get enough juice to the starter (Cranking Amps). If the Battery is good then listen for the Solanoid engaging the Starter into the Flywheel if you do not hear anything at all, then the control signal is not getting to the starter, if you hear the starter being pushed up into place but will not turn then it would seem to be your starter.

I believe that most good Parts stores have a way to test your battery or Starter...Free of charge?

I am just giving you something to chew on...Not an expert to be sure.

 

so if the solenoid isnt engaging the starter what would the problem be, besides the solenoid being bad

 

A broken or disconnected wire to the starter/Solenoid.

P.S. thanks for correcting my spelling of Solenoid.

 

If you leave the door open so you can see the interior lights on, and crank the engine, will the lights stay lit? Do they go out? You may just have a bad connection. Be sure that all connections are clean and tight.

Ron