Truck Wont Start (not the battery)
 

I have a 2004 F150 Supercrew Lariat 4x4 with 111,000 miles on it. It has the 5.4L v8 engine. I have never had any problems starting this truck. A couple of days ago I went to start it and the key turned but there was no "cranking noise" and the engine would not start. Tried the usual jumping and battery related fixes but to no avail. I was in a remote area with no access to tools, so I had the truck towed and it is currently at the shop being looked at on Monday. Is this a typical problem? What do you think it could be? I am not very mechanically inclined but I would assume this problem could be in the ignition system or starter. Any ideas?

Note: The day before I noticed that when going from drive to reverse the truck would go into neutral even though the shifter was on reverse. When I put the truck in park and then down to reverse the truck went into reverse like normal. This seemed to be the beginning of transmission issues. Could this be a problem connected to starting my truck (I.E. truck thinks it is in drive when I am trying to start it even though the shifter is in park or neutral?)

Thank you for your input,
Russ

Have you tried putting it in neutral to start it?

Yes, no change

You may also want to check the fuel pump driver module. Did it rain anytime recently before your truck wouldn't start?

Yes a few days before but I had driven it about 400 miles the day before problems arose and it was 2 days after it had rained last.

Either way, it's worth checking the fuel pump driver module. From your first post, it seems your gear selector is causing the issues.

You have a problem with the transmission range sensor (also acts as the neutral safety switch) or the linkage from it to the shifter. If it's a column shift, the bolts inside the steering column have a tendency to loosen over time, which will cause this.

did you try starting it through the range of gear selections, so turn the key forward and cycle the shifter and see if it will catch.

Is your red security light on your dash on the top on? This could also be a PATS problem, where the PATS is not working(could be loose connection between PATS and PCM, or your key)

I thought if the PATS trips, it will crank but not start?

Russ, let me know what your mechanic finds. I'm having a similar problem. So far I'm leaning toward a failing sensor shorting out the CAN bus. Here's my long winded version:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ter-floor.html
Short version:
- No crank, no start
- Water filled wire bundle on passenger floor
- When failing, code reader unable to read CAN bus
- Key to ON, wait 10 seconds and something resets. Starter now engages, but truck may or may not start, if it does it only runs a few seconds

I found this video: and I was hoping my problem was this simple, but no such luck.

Does the check engine light illuminate when you turn the key to the run position. If not you may need to check your ecu or the fuses related to the ecu.

If you turn the key and the security light on the dashboard flashes quickly, but it does not turn over I could be (I had this happen to me) a bad security key. I had one made a Lowes because they claim to be able to make copies of chipped keys now. Sometimes the key they made worked, sometimes it didn't.

Sounds like it is not in park or neutral the linkage is probably a little off. Try moving the shifter with the key turned foward and see if it starts to turn over. Assuming the battery is not dead.

3 years later, I sure hope it's been fixed..................