I have a 2001 F-150 SuperCrew (4X4 5.4L V-8) that has developed a serious issue. About four months ago it began to give me fits. Originally, the door ajar indicator would remain on even when the doors where properly closed, and as a result the interior dome and opera lighting would remain on even after the vehicle was shut off. At first it was just a minor inconvenience, but then the drain from the lighting on the battery began to cause some obvious battery issues, i.e., a slight drag to get the vehicle started. I took the vehicle into the dealership, and they lubricated and cleaned the driver’s door lock mechanism. All was good for a couple weeks, and then one morning I get up and my truck won’t start at all–just clicks. I assume it’s the battery, and hook the vehicle up to the battery charger. After a few hours, it starts and I take it to the local tire/battery shop to have the battery and alternator tested–they both check out fine. So, I make an appointment with the dealership, take the truck in, and they give a clean bill of health. About two days later, again it won’t start. I take it back to the dealership and leave it for four days this time. When I pick it up, they again say there’s nothing wrong with it, and hand me a bill for just over a hundred bucks. The very next day, when I’m about 80 miles from the nearest civilization, the truck won’t start. This time I notice that in addition to the clicking noise–which I’d describe as the noise you generally here when you’ve got a battery issue–is accompanied with the sound of all of the truck’s locks attempting to fire (they were rapidly popping). I stop trying to start it, and manually lock all the locks. Try to start it again, and it fires right up. Currently the truck is back at the dealership, for the third time and a total of over 10 days at this point, and they continue to claim there is nothing wrong with the vehicle.

I should mention that at about the same time the door ajar indicator began to give a false reading, I noticed the safety mechanism that causes the doors to lock automatically once you put the car in drive began to not always work–that is, sometimes the locks locked automatically, and sometimes they didn’t. Personally, it seems to me that the start problem is directly related to the safety lock feature, but of course I have no proof–and, the problems could be coincidental. I have learned that Chevy/GMC trucks supposedly have this problem with their safety lock feature, i.e., it can sometimes prevent the truck from starting. I searched through the archives here on the site and couldn’t find anything directly on point for my problem. I would genuinely appreciate any and all advice anyone might have, as currently I have a totally unreliable vehicle that the dealership is evidently unable to repair. I should also note that I live in a rural area, and the nearest alternative Ford dealership is about 100 miles away–although, I am beginning to realize that a trip that far may be necessary. Thanks in advance.

 

Bubzilla,

I just purchased a new 2003 SuperCrew (5.4) the other day, I left the dealer with it woke up the next morning and it did not start all I got was the Click sound you describe. I too figured it could be the battery or the starter, I tried the battery (ok) I checked the starter (ok).

After some poking, I finally found the problem. Where the wires from the starter enter the the truck there is a small black box. I gave mine a tap and it started. I then drove it to the dealer and it turned out there was a bulletin for the part, it becomes loose causing a misfire and no start, also if you get alot of humidity in it you will get the same problem, my dealer washed my truck the day i bought it, there was alot of humidity in the indoor wash bay, that night it got extremly cold, so either it was the humidity or the part was loose causing the problem. I had the part tightened as it was a little loose.

NOTE: I did not have any door lock problems as you described.