My 2000' Expedition cranks but won't start. i had this happedn last night, but after a few attempts the enigine started. Now this morning it won't start no matter what i do. Cranks fine, seems to want to start at frist crank, but won't continue firing. It cranks over normally with no warnings such as check engine. I think the problem may be in the anti-theft system since it seems to want to start then immediately shuts down.
Here's what I tried:
1. start with key only (no extra things on key ring such as transmitters)
2. tried unlocking and unlocking doors at door and with keyswitch many times
3. checked all the fuses, including those under the hood
4. looked for mositere on GEM (it has been raining here)-no moisture, dry as a bone
6. checked air flow sensors in air intake - all clean. Tried cranking without air filter, no start
7. looked for broken wires under das - none found, fittings tight

Is there something else I can try, or is it time to tow it to a shop?

 

Different animal but same story, I had a 2001 Chevy Silverado...same thing cranked but didn't start. They isolated it to the computer thinking the truck was stolen and shut the injectors down. Luckily it never left me out in the middle of no where. After 3 times I gave it back! And now I have a good old reliable Ford.
Good luck, hope you don't have to go to extremes!
Jorg

 

austijorg -
thanks, hope it isn't the computer!
So far, I do smell gas when cranking the engine awhile - so probably safe to assume getting fuel to something - hopefully the injectors!

I checked the THEFT light when I turn the key to start - it stays steady on - no blinking.

Still scratching my head about this. any other thoughts out there?

 

This is a shot in the dark, but have you tried disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes to clear any settings that may be causing the problem? May be worth a try.

 

I second it. My PATS on my Mustang was giving me problems so after 3 days I decided to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes...problem disapeered

 

Yes, i did it once removing the pos. and neg leads for 20 minutes. And then later I removed just the neg lead for 10 minutes. i could tell the computer reset as the gauges all went to the right briefly and then settled back down.

I tried shooting a little ether (I know, I know) to see if the problem was electrical or fuel. It didn't fire with the ether, which I sort of expected. I think its probably electrical.

 

Did you ever figure out this issue? My wife's Nav is doing the EXACT same thing and I've tried all the things you have including spraying starting fluid in the throttle body and still nothing. It will be fine for days and then out of nowhere it will crank but not start....?

 

When my 2000 is parked facing downhill and has less than 1/4 tank of gas, it will crank all day but won't start until I get the truck facing uphill, then it will start immediately. Are you parked facing downhill? Less than 1/4 tank?

 

It does it with 1/4, 1/2 or full tank parked in the garage on even ground or on a hill...it has me going crazy! The only thing different I've noticed is that the needles on the gauges go all the way up and back down when it cranks but doesn't start...?

 

Will it start in neutral? Have you tried a different battery? IAC valve or MAF sensor?

 

Nuetral would make no difference. A faulty MAF will not cause a no spark condition.

An IAC valve that is stuck shut will keep an engine from firing if spark and fuel is otherwise present. Crack the throttle 1/4 way to see if it then starts.

The gauge sweep indicates your battery is marginal. Low battery power can cause interesting problems with the PATS system. While a new battery may or may not resolve the intermittent no spark problem, replacing it will likely prevent an inconvenient complete failure.

Need to know which engine that 99 'gator has. I don't remember if they offered anything other than the 5.4 4V in that model.

Steve

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

It has the 5.4 4V. The truck has been pretty much trouble free up until this problem, it just turned 80K and we've owned it for a little over 6 yrs.

I've tried shifting it to nuetral with no affect, I'll try the 1/4 throttle next time and see what happens. Would the IAC valve be tempormental like that? The truck will be fine for weeks and then it seems like it has a bad day.

 

My wife just called and she's stuck again at Costco, I talked her through and tried the 1/4 throttle and still nothing. I'm going to ask her to tap on it....

 

Using a pic in another thread I tried explaining to her where it was and believe she was tapping on the IAC and it didn't make a difference. We've been keeping a spare key in the truck thinking one might be getting worn and maybe the antitheft wasn't deactivating...I asked her to lock and unlock the doors with the remote from outside and use the other key. It still cranked twice without firing but on the third time it ran....weird! I might have to break down and take it to the dealer.

 

This is most likely a long shot, but what about a fuel pump? I know you said that you smell gas, but this is acting just like mine did when the fuel pump was going out. Isn't there a sensor that looks at what the fuel presure is. I know on some trucks that if the fuel system is not working up to snuff that it will crank until the oil presure is raised enough to trip the switch then it will start. Just my .02 worth, thats all its worth.