Ok, haven't been here for a long time because everything has been fine.. Until last night. 2005 5.4 with 107K miles. Truck has been fine with usual maintenance things. Drove some errands yesterday and everything was fine. Went to go to the store last night and it wouldn't start or try to crank. Tested the battery today and it had 11.8 volts but I couldn't remember how long ago I replace the battery. I tried to jump the battery and nothing. Got a new battery and nothing. When I turn the key to ON the volts and fuel gauges move, radio comes on and there is some weird beeping. It goes between fast beeps and then a very long beep. I scanned for codes and there are none. I've searched online and I've seen nothing about the beeps. Has anyone had similar problems or ideas where I should start looking?

Thanks,
Myren

ETA. I can hear the starter relay clicking at the passenger footwell.

 

Do you have an aftermarket alarm or remote starter?

 

Aftermarket alarm but the beeping is not coming from the alarm speaker. Plus I have not used the alarm in 3 or 4 years since the remote took a crap.

 

I would next start by checking the starter for loose or corroded connections.

 

Ok, got it fixed so I'm adding incase someone else is searching for the same problems. Hopefully my frustrations will help someone. First I checked fuses 101 and 102 at the passenger kick pannel. They were fine. Went to the starter and was getting 12.4 volts at the large wire, jumped the large and small wires and the starter turned on. Starter is fine.

I was then afraid it was the alarm because the guy that installed it only used electrical tape on EVERY connection. Found that the starter wire was red/blue. I got 12V when I started and had continuity through the alarm. Went back to the pass. kick panel and tested the starter relay. It worked. Took a paperclip and jumped the contacts for the starter and it ran the starter. I got no voltage across the relay on connectors when I tried to start.

The only thing left was the Digital Range Sensor. This is on the transmission and tells the ECU what gear you're in. Ordered a new sensor and went to install it. When I went to take the shift linkage off the sensor it just moved free. So this made me think the shift cable was broken. To take the cable off you start on the inside and remove the center console cover and remove the cable from the shifter. Well, it was already off. I put it back on, put the truck in park and it started right up. Not sure why it came off but it seems to be on securely now.

 

That is some handy info. Thanks for sharing!

 

The DTRS is also the neutral safety switch.

 

Ok, last update. Here's a video on a $3 fix. Apparently this is a somewhat common problem. The part is at O'Rilley, part # H1177-2.

 

Yep, before I read that you found the problem I was going to say neutral safety switch. Same thing happened to me last year. Glad you got it resolved. Sorry I was too late to let you know earlier. I replaced 3 starters before I figured out it was my NSS. Ironically, every time i replaced the starter the truck would start fine for a few months, then stop starting.

 

No problem random. It gave me a chance to see all the magical workings of the truck.