This is less of a problem than it is a pain. my truck has recently been hard to start. it still starts everytime but sometimes it takes longer than others. when you turn the key you have to turn it hard and hold it for a second or two before it starts.

the delay is long enough for anyone other than me (since i drive it everyday) think its not starting or i have a kill switch installed. guy at discount and offroad shop couldnt get it started till i told them to hold it for a second.

My first thought was that i didnt put di-electric grease in the coil pack after i removed my upper intake. put some in yesterday and still having the issue.

havent found much by way of searching since im not sure what exactly to search.

Any suggestions

 

Is the motor turning at all when you hold the key or is it not doing anything then all the sudden kicks the starter on? If that makes sense.

 

I get what your saying any yea thats basically what it does. wont do anything and then turns over. i might try and get a video here this afternoon.

I did have the whole upper intake off about a month ago so might be something to do with that possibly idk

 

That's just a connection problem or the battery is a little on the low side. It will get worse.

 

Damn I was hoping it was turning the whole time. My V6 takes longer than it should starting and has a hard time but it turns over the whole time.

 

Connection where though?

the battery is only a yr old and voltage ranges from 13.7-14.1 when running depending on time of day (it gets hot here haha). think it also reads at 12.8v iirc when the key is on but truck isnt running

 

It could be two days old, read 12.8 and not start the truck. If you have a new battery and it reads 12.8 connected, then you have one of kind. None read that anymore. More like 12.68. The old Motorcrafts (Originals) read 12.8.

I have an old Motorcraft on the bench that reads 12.8, but won't start the truck anymore. Has a weak cell. You have a bad ground or the hot wire on the starter solenoid is corroded(piggy back solenoid on the starter). The problem is with a cable somewhere, -most likely. What type of terminals are you using, are they factory or like ? You don't have lead terminals anywhere do you ?

The frame ground behind the passenger tire is a common problem. Just go thru your cables, make sure the loop down by the starter isn't holding water.

 

Here's your set up -





You can try starting in neutral, but it probably won't make a difference. If it's better, that would indicate a different problem.

 

Thanks brew. ill have to start looking around when i get home tonight.

ill double check the voltage when i get in the truck though and see. the terminals are factory im pretty sure as weve never replaced them, unless it was done when the motor was rebuilt. also i always start in neutral since i have a manual haha.

i plan to start at the coil pack and check the ground there as it was removed when the intake was removed also. but im assuming this isnt an indication of needing to replace the pack or cop's?

 

No problem. Let me get this straight. Your getting a starter interrupt ? It's not cranking as soon as you turn the key correct ?

 

Is the delayed cranking worse when the vehicle is doing a hot restart?

I'd start by replacing the starter relay on the firewall

 

i went down earlier cuz i though i could load my tunes at work (cant install the driver ...) and tried to take 3 videos.

1. delayed, didnt hold long enough for it to start.
2. started right up
3. waited about a minute or two max and it was delayed

i can see what its like after driving home and sitting for a few minutes if that helps.

is the starter relay a dealer only item?

 

yes thats correct. i have to hold the key in the start position for a few seconds for it to crank over

 

You can get those relays anywhere. They are common items. Rock Auto:

1998 FORD F-150 4.2L 256cid V6 MFI (2) OHV : Electrical-Switch & Relay : Starter Solenoid Switch Wiki Price
MOTORCRAFT Part # SW1951C {#E9TZ11450B, F5TU11450BA} Fender Mounted

$19.24

 

ok well after work i got in the truck read the battery at 12.2 and it started right up.
got home and turned it off and battery was at 12.6
waited 5 minutes it was 12.4 and took maybe 1-2 seconds to start.

gonna go out and try it in a few and see what happens