I encountered a strange problem with the L today and I need help. I drove to work today and turned off the truck while still in drive. Didn't really think anything of it, and just put in park and removed the key. Later when I went to leave for the day the truck won't start. I have plenty of power, headlights etc all working and even tryed to jump but no go. Tryed moving around the shift lever several times but nada. Pulled all the fuses and everything looks good (visual only didn't put them all on a meter). Everything in the truck seems to work including power windows, locks etc. and no odd messages on the dash. The only strange thing is that the radio doesn't power up at all with the key turned forward or back. I can hear a relay click in the fuse panel when I turn the key over to start but the starter doesn't turn. I'm thinking the starter might be bad but the radio not working has me worried that it's in the electrical systems. Any ideas???

 

Sounds like a dead battery…

 

When, you turn the key does it try to start? If it does try to start but dosen't and if the theft light is blinking fast; you may have lost your PATS code. If it does not try to turn over and you know you have power. Then check the cable to the starter.


Suavy

 

I definitely have plenty of power and it doesn't turn the motor at all. PATS seems OK. The lights act like it's putting power to the starter but it just doesn't turn. I agree that it sounds like a bad link to the starter but it's just odd to me that the radio doesn't power on even with the key in the acc only position.

 

Try a battery disconnect: remove the negative cable from the post, turn on the headlights--leave on for 5 minutes, turn h/l's OFF, re-attach neg. cable. Try to start it now.

Dan

 

Put it up on jack stands take a multi meter and have some one try to start it. If you see 12 volt there on the starter solenoid than it's your starter. If you don't then work your way backwards from the starter.


Suavy

 

Reset the computer and still the same problem. Looks like the starter but why doesn't the radio work??????????

 

If the radio is on the power circuit to be turn off during starting the relay may have tripped and the diode in the starter is not reseting it.

 

Look on your owners manual and check the fuses for the radio.
You will need to get under it a verify current to the starter.

Suavy

 

Finally got it fixed today, turned out to be the starter relay (E9TZ*11450*B, $29.76) that was the culprit. FYI this relay is mounted on the firewall behind the plastic cover over the PCM. There was no warning that it was about to fail.

Thanks to all of you (Suavy, L-ROD etc.) who offered your insight.

 

Glad it was something not too expensive sd!

Dan