06 Ford F150 Still has starting problems

[Steve in Mi]

To clarify, if it turns over, the truck starts but I'm not getting the starter to roll over. With intermittent starting problems for maybe 6 weeks now I'm no closer to getting this Ford F150 starting reliably. It's the 4.6L 2 wheel drive with XL trim.

Today I spent $$$ for a new Exide 750 CCA battery to eliminate that from the possibly cause. There was a indication that the battery could possibly be the problem and a couple more instances that I thought pointed away from a battery issue. I hoped the new battery would solve my problem but unfortunately it made no difference - still not cranking. All I hear is the little battery relay in the passenger side kick pannel click when I twist the key to start position.

Is there any other component in the electrical ckt. between the battery relay and the solnoid on the starter motor? It has been soooo cold making for miserable repair work outside. With this battery relay click am I successfully past any park switch function. At this point I'm not sure if I have voltage to the solnoid or not. I did manage to squeeze under to check for loose cables but it is a tight fit for this BIG boy.

Anybody have an electrical schematic for the start ckt.? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

 

[MattT]

All I hear is the little battery relay in the passenger side kick pannel click when I twist the key to start position.

Is there any other component in the electrical ckt. between the battery relay and the solnoid on the starter motor?

Circuit for the solenoid is most likely Fuse>Relay>Solenoid unless the vehicle has aftermarket security or remote starter on it.

Also you might not be hearing the starter relay. Could be fuel pump relay instead.

 

[MattT]

At this point I'm not sure if I have voltage to the solnoid or not. I did manage to squeeze under to check for loose cables but it is a tight fit for this BIG boy.

Since it's intermittent I'd attach a wire to the solenoid positive and run it into the cab so you can check voltage easily by yourself when the fault happens. If you jack up the truck and fetch an assistant the damn thing will crank

 

[PreferredMotorsLLC]

Sounds like you have a bad ground.

 

[Case IH]

HMMM its a FORD..what did you expect? haha I just had to say it I know alot of people were thinking it

 

[MrMark]

Did you eliminate the park/neutral switch potentially being the problem?

You need a wiring diagram to do any diagnostics.

 

[csargents1546]

Are the wires corroded? I would second the bad ground or also a bad power connection. Intermitten are some of the hardest to diag by yourself. Check for power at the starter terminals, not the wires.

 

[Stick]

Anybody have an electrical schematic for the start ckt.? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

Check your PM's.

Check Voltage drop between battery and main starter post, and output of relay and starter solenoid. Ground is provided through the case IIRC.

Note for others: I help when I can, but I try not to make a habit out of this so please don't beg me for schematics.

 

[FRANKIEWHIPIT]

They (Fords) have a problem with the "start" wire terminal on the starter. Is it a push on spade connector? or a bolted on ring terminal? When the problem occurs, check for power to the "S" terminal of the starter when cranking. If your getting power there, the starter is N.G. Also if nobody is around to crank the engine while you test it, jump the battery terminal to the "S" terminal on the starter.

 

[wafrederick]

Ford does have problems with the push on terminal for the "start wire on their starters.Have been having this problem since 1992.Most of the remans have a ring connector with a new wire lead to fix this problem

 

[Riverrojo]

Look through the passanger wheel well at the starter. I bet the starter wire coming from the battery is badly corroded. There should be a nice size green mess. Cut off the connector and solder a new one on, or just replace the entire starter wire. This is a very common problem and I see it all the time at my work (ford dealership).

 

[hades02]

I would say a bad/corroded wire. I had the same problem with an old Chevy van. Replaced the battery ground wire and never had the problem again.

 

[Steve in Mi]

You have all offered some great tips/advice and I will tackle this anew as I get time to work on it. I will post back the results as they are checked out piecemeal. I thank you for your help and generosity of time to post. Steve

 

[Steve in Mi]

Update

My friend called and said bring the Ford over (heated shop) we will fix it. I had loan of his 200 amp booster for starting it so agreed to bring it over. Just for kicks I tried starting it without the booster and it started right up. There wasn't any big gobs of green (corrosion) on the terminals like was mentioned but all three wires (solenoid, battery+ and ground on transmission housing) had some corrosion. The wire to the solenoid was in the best condition of the three. Not being able to reach the top bolt on the starter to remove it we decided to reassemble the cleaned connections and test. In remounting the ground a star washer was inserted to dig into the wire end and nut.

Gave it a try and it started fine and again and again for 7 or 8 tries. Tried it again 3 or 4 more times when I got back home, seems like it might have been the slight corrosion on both the hot and ground that was my problem all along. I'm still not a 100% sure it is fixed but it is encouraging to this point. Thanks again for your helpful suggestions and to my friend who laid in water under that Ford doing the wrenching while the melting snow and ice dripped all over him.

 

[jay50]

Re: Update

My friend called and said bring the Ford over (heated shop) we will fix it. I had loan of his 200 amp booster for starting it so agreed to bring it over. Just for kicks I tried starting it without the booster and it started right up. There wasn't any big gobs of green (corrosion) on the terminals like was mentioned but all three wires (solenoid, battery+ and ground on transmission housing) had some corrosion. The wire to the solenoid was in the best condition of the three. Not being able to reach the top bolt on the starter to remove it we decided to reassemble the cleaned connections and test. In remounting the ground a star washer was inserted to dig into the wire end and nut.

Gave it a try and it started fine and again and again for 7 or 8 tries. Tried it again 3 or 4 more times when I got back home, seems like it might have been the slight corrosion on both the hot and ground that was my problem all along. I'm still not a 100% sure it is fixed but it is encouraging to this point. Thanks again for your helpful suggestions and to my friend who laid in water under that Ford doing the wrenching while the melting snow and ice dripped all over him.

Be sure to get your friend a case of good beer for all his work.