My wife has a 2001 Lincoln Navigator that has had electrical starting issues for the past year or so. I've changed out about four batteries now. The truck is really tempermental and sometimes doesn't start. She has had to jump the truck almost everyday in the past week.

When she gets inside it, the lights are on and everything works. However, when she turns the key to start it, it cranks over and then dies. The lights come back on, but nothing else. When she goes to start it again, it just clicks. There have been times where she'll go weeks without having to jump start it and then there are times when she has to jump start it several times during the day.

Sometimes she has to jump it three or four times for it just to start. There are no warning lights lit up. Any ideas what the issue(s) could be, besides the battery? Alternator, starter, ignition module, short in the system somewhere, bad cables??? Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks.

 

had the same symtom with my cobra replica 5.7 chev under the hood, turned out to be a faulty starter motor
bruce

 

Battery cables or connection, probably. Test under starter load with a voltmeter across the cable(s).

Could be a bad starter motor pulling excessive amperage.

Could be a faulty alternator that isn't keeping the battery charged.

Could be yellow batteries from WalMart.

 

No WalMart batteries in the truck, ever! All have been Interstate.

 

I'm inclined to agree with 'bruce h' on the bad starter suggestion. If it's not that, then you have to look at the alternator or the wiring to it as the problem.

 

It was more likely just organ rejection in the case of your replica.

 

I had a similar problem with mine for a day or two. For some reason my air compressor was cycling off and on for the whole night. Found the leak and no more battery problems.I know it's not supposed to do that, but it did. Pay close attention the the compressor cycles after the truck is off for an hour or so.

 

I know that this is an old post, but wanted to give a follow up for others that may have a similar problem in the future.

Finally figured out the problem. Let me start in the beginning. Fall of 2009, the sunroof was pried open by a vandal that got inside and didn't really steal antyhing. Just ransacked the interior looking for anything of value. Minor damage to the roof from the prybar. Called insurance company and they wrote to replace the sunroof assembly with a used unit (common practice) and repair the roof. Everything was repaired as per the estimate. Then, as it would rain outside, water would leak into the interior through the sunvisor brackets and grab handles on the a-pillars. Took it back to the shop and they did a fix, but still leaked a little. Then veh would not start each time after it rained and the vehicle sat. I went through the trouble of replacing the batteries, ignition solenoid and starter thinking that vehicle wouldn't start because of these wear and tear items.

Recently, I found the headliner to be water stained around the sunroof and above the driver's area towards the left a-pillar. Took veh into an auto electrical place about two months ago. He found that water was likely leaking through the sunroof assembly down into the left a-pillar and into the fuse box and gen module under the dash board. Called insurance company again. They came out, verified that the right drain on the used sunroof assembly was kinked and caused water not to drain properly. Paid to repair the drain, repalce the headliner, fuse box and gen module.

It's been a few weeks now after repairs and we've had a few rain storms. So far, so good!