My 97 F150, 4.6, has been starting slower and slower lately, it used to fire up first hit every time (instantly). My battery is almost 6 yrs old, and needed changed anyway, so I replaced that today, but it still won't start. The starter doesn't seem to engage (no ticking, nothing) and then something very strange happens. The dash lights and hazards flash slowly for about 6 or 7 times.

Is the hazard/dash lights flashing a sign of something in particular? My positive terminal was a bit corroded, so I cleaned it up, I can't believe that would still be the problem. Any suggestions?

 

What happens when you jump across the battery lead on the starter to the silenoid(sp?)? If the starter still turns slow I'd suspect the battery conection. If it seems to crank well, I'd suspect something in the ignition switch.

Good luck

 

Check your battery terminals. Sounds like the connectors have corrosion built up on them.

 

ok, thanks, I am gonna get it going today, I'll let you know what it was.

The hazards & dash lights blinking after I try to start it are what's driving me nuts.

 

If it isn't the connections at the battery, it's probably faulty cables. They like to rot out inside the isulation jacket.

Simplest way to test is to connect a DC voltmeter across a cable and it's connections, then pull a large current draw. A good cable will show a very small voltage across the cable (usually less than 0.2 volts). A bad cable can show anything up to the full battery voltage.

Steve

Steve

 

Well, it was an easy fix. It was a ignition kill (disable) switch from an old alarm that had been partially removed. I disconnected it, and it fired up perfectly. All the original problems were tied to the battery, not starting back up was the security alarm CRAP!!!!

Ha, thanks!