When I attempt to start the truck the engine doesn't crank and the starter and solenoid make no noise at all. In fact the only thing that happens is the dash warning lights go off and I hear a small click from under the dash. Whenever this happens the radio doesn't come on even when the key is in the ACC position. Two times it worked after repeated attempts in about 30 minutes. The third (and last) time it took about an hour. All the other accessories work, fan blower, lights, etc. I've taken it to Ford and they can't find anything without the problem occuring at the time they're looking at it. In all instances it has occurred during the day after a short trip, once to a gas station, once to the grocery store, and once to my dentist. The shortest it was turned off for was about 10 minutes and the longest was about 1 1/2 hours. I don't think it's related to being hot, and the battery checks out okay.

Any ideas?

Thanks...

 

Am I so unlucky to be the only person ever experiencing this?

 

What year truck? Do you have an aftermarket radio? Alarm system?

regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Nuts...I thought I put it all in there...sorry...

It's a 1999 F150 Lariat with all the gee whiz stuff incl. anti theft system, radio and CD changer, A/C, etc... The engine is a 5.4L. About 59,000 miles on it.

 

I had the same problem and it was the main power cable end lead connecting to the starter. the clip is very cheap and needs to be replaced. You can get a new copper end piece at auto zone. Just crimp it on aafter removing the crap one.

 

Buck dropper is correct.

You are describing a text book resistance concern.

Even if the battery connections are tight they must be clean. What you are decribing can happen even if the battery conections are the slightest bit loose.

This can also be caused by corrosion IN the negative lead. Follow the Neg lead from the battery down to where is connects to the frame and check for corrosion. You will also need to pull the insulation back a bit because corrosion can be up a ways.

Also check the starter connections as noted above. However I don't believe it is at the starter.

 

Thanks to both of you. It actually happened again this evening
I came home from work, fixed dinner, and then went to leave for the grocery store. I've had a habit of waiting for the radio to come on before I crank the engine...not sure why, just did. So I was looking at the radio lights (yes, it came on) as I tried to crank it over. Guess what?? The lights go out and no crank!!!! I came back in the house, fired up the computer to see what responses I might have and saw your posts. So I got out my wrenches and went looking for something to scrub the battery terminals and clamps with...and found it next to the sink. I went out and tried it again...but unfortunately it worked this time so I can't say whether it's really fixed or not. But I pulled the battery cables and cleaned both terminals and the inside of the clamps real good with the pot scrubber anyway. The terminals were a dark, dull gray before I did that. They were both tight, and the ground side looks okay...can't detect any corrosion but I didn't climb under it since it's been raining. I'll wait a few days and see if it happens again. This weekend I'll be at my sons and I'll get him to climb under it!

I tried it several times and it worked fine...at least for now.

Thanks again...now why didn't the Ford mechanic think of this? Obviously he didn't clean the terminals since they were so ugly. Is this the quality of work you get for their high rates these days?

 

Thanks again...now why didn't the Ford mechanic think of this? Obviously he didn't clean the terminals since they were so ugly. Is the the quality of work you get for their high rates these days?


If they plug their computer in and it doesn't tell them hey this is what is wrong they go for coffee and bill you an extra hour.

 

Thought I'd share my experience with anyone interested or experiencing the same problem.

My failure to crank problem continued to occur and although it is still intermittent it became more frequent. I've replace the connector on the wire as suggested which didn't seem to affect it at all. It's been in the local Ford shop for a total of 21 days and presumably they've run extensive diagnosis on it and have changed the starter, main fuse panel, ignition assembly, removed an alarm system installed but not activated, transmission nuetral sensor, and checked all the connections in the circuits. None of this had any effect on the problem.

Giving up on Ford, I went back to my youth, grabbed my tools and ignored everything they said they'd done. I started at the beginning...when my old 55 Chevy and 72 Ford PU didn't crank I jumped the solenoid so after looking around a bit I found it hiding under a plastic cover and did the same thing. It cranked! And when I turned the key on it started! I went down to Auto Zone and spent $7.20 for a solenoid and installed it. It's now been 3 weeks and not once has it failed to crank. The whole process took me less than an hour.

So much for an extended warranty!!! If they can't diagnose as simple a problem as a bad solenoid after 21 days I don't think a warranty is going to help.

I'm happy it's working again...I no longer feel like offering my F150 up as a sacrifice to a volcano...but I'm totaly disgusted with Ford's service.

 

I am glad you found the problem. I have a 5 speed manual and just a push got me going until i found the problem with the starter lead wire.