We're having an intermittent no-start condition in our 2000 5.4 Expedition Eddie Baur.
1st time after running in & out of a store, didn't start on first try started 2nd try.
2nd time left wife stranded, didn't start no matter how she cranked it over. Of course started fine 10 min later for mechanic- no codes, couldn't duplicate.

3rd time : stopped vehicle, tried to immediately re-start 5 seconds after stopped & it wouldn't catch. Building on her experience of it starting after sitting I didn't mess around cranking & Flooding??, etc. After 20 minutes of boy scouts loading a trailer full I crossed my fingers & it caught & started with a slight burble sound.

No further issues buy wife no longer thrilled with her vehicle.

43000 miles, on truck so no new parts except air filter, etc.

 

What did your mechanic determine? When it does finally start is there a puff of smoke out the back?

Aside from when my IAC valve was acting up, mine starts so easily all I have to do is get the key near the ignition.

 

No determination was made. (nice enough to be free of charge too). Just started eventually. Would the ICV be an issue for a vehicle that isn't idling yet?

 

Yes. Next time this situation occurs, attempt to start the vehicle with the gas pedal slightly depressed. If it starts, release the pedal. If the idle is very low or if the engine stalls, it's probably the IAC.

 

Was the "theft" light blinking? If so, then the PATS antenna (located in the ignition switch) wasn't getting the signal from the key.

Usually, a bad IAC valve will turn over, but it will sputter and die, like it ran out of gas.

XXL

 

YES, I do believe the theft light was blinking!! My first reply was going to mention that but I backspaced over it thinking it was a non-issue, or ask if the key batteries ever go bad!!

WOW Matt you are a mind-reader. I searched for the PATS thing in this forum but didn't see any "fixes" for weak signal or poor antenna reception.

Could a spare key stored in Glove box send mixed signal all the way to steering column? Any batteries in the key to go bad?

BTW: any good online sources for factory style remotes for door locks?? Wifey lost a set

 

LOL - No I'm not - if I was a mind-reader my life would be a whole lot easier

From what I've seen, the PATS antenna really only works in the extremely short proximity of the ignition switch. The antenna is a ring that fits around the ignition switch, and the key passes through this ring when you insert it to turn the ignition on. The antenna itself is very finicky about what kind of signals it gets.

If you have another Ford transponder key on your key chain, it'll get mixed signals and not crank over.

The only thing I can think of is either a failing battery or a bad key. Yes, I said failing battery - these trucks will operate just fine, but if the battery is on its way out, the electrical goes bananas. No other symptoms from the battery.

Other than that, try the other key and see if it works.

Keep us posted!

XXL

 

Try Ebay.

 

As for they keys and remotes,,,,, go to ebay and look up the seller joefriday2. I bought keys and a remote from him and all was great. Just a hint, if you want more than one thing from him, e-mail him and make an offer, he took my offer which saved a few bucks.

BigMan69