Just rinsed off the engine in my 05 F150 4.6L Triton. Now it wont start, Just getting a repeated click like the starter is trying to engage. Also the gauges just flutter a little with the key on. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I blew out all of the connectors w/ compressod air and checked for codes (there are none). The truck sat for about an hour after I washed it before I tried to start it.

 

i dont know much about the new fords, but is the starter solenoid pretty exposed like the oldies? maybe its wet and shorted out.. just a guess lol. im gonna also guess it starts now that it has dried?

 

Still no start, just a slow click, about once per second when trying to start it.

 

Tried jumping it yet? What are the chances, eh?

 

I'll try the jumpstart in the morning, I was reading some earlier posts about water in the coil packs, I'll check that one also... my favorite posts are ones that say...."Dont wash it!" I'll stick to them in the future.

 

In the past, manuals have stated to cover any electrical components (bag, tape, etc.) prior to any engine compartment cleaning/washing.

In this case... you wouldn't have anything left to wash except the covering...

Good Luck and Welcome to Ford-Truck Enthusiasts!

 

Mine died out of the blue like that, and it was definitely the battery...Took my stupid @ss about 2hrs to figure it out because of the way it went.

 

Whenever i would degrease my 78, i would always have it running. Never had a problem starting it after i cut it off. I also put bags over the dizzy cap, electrical, etc.

 

I'll take a bet that it is the battery. When you got the engine compartment wet the already weak 5 year old battery probably drained due to the water creating a short to ground. If it was a coil pac it would crank and run with a misfire.

 

Thanks for the replies, I have the battery on a charger and will pull the coils and dry them in the mean time. Makes sense that it probably isn't the coils, but will go there anyway. I have been seperating electricle connectors and blowing them out, but havn't seen any water yet. Next time I'll cover the engine with a tarp and wipe off the fan shroud... lol

 

this sounds like weak battery to me

 

sure enough, battery, How freakin coincidental. I did have the pleasure of pulling all coil packs, opening all connectors, blowing them out and using dielecric while the battery charged. After putting the battery back in, it fired right up. On my way to get a new battery.... hope to find my batterd ego while I'm out. This coming from a former ASE cert. tech w/ a degree in Automotive/Diesel repair. Thanks again!

 

I would check the alternator too and see if you have any bad diodes in it. A bad diode will drain any battery, new or old, even while the engine is not running. Doing an AC ripple test using a digital multi meter is the quick and dirty way of testing the alternator without having to remove the alternator from the truck. Be sure to turn on your headlights with the engine running to remove the surface charge off the battery so the alternator will switch on before doing the test. If you get a reading of more than 1.4 volts AC, the alternator needs replaced or rebuilt. Hope this helps!

 

these trucks can get the best of you. at least you didn't have the battery fail the other way. sometimes the whole truck just goes ape****. radio clicking and making noises, the lock cylinders cycling, buzzing and other noises in the dash....darn thing is possessed

 

Clean up the battery terminals, make sure they are clean and tight.