Starter won't turn
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From: Our Home Is Where We Park
Starter won't turn
I have a 1999 V-10 auto. I parked it about 1 1/2 weeks ago and went out to start it and the battery was dead. Tried to jump it with no success. Other 12 volt items work but no sound at all from starter. Took out the battery to charge and put a different one on. Everything else acts fine but still no attempt to turn the engine over. I checked any fuses related to starting and all were fine. I can not think of anything else to try. Have had off and on door ajar and beeping after it rains for a few years. On occasion the interior light won't turn off but that has not happened for some time.
Any suggestions on what else to try before having it towed to the shop?
Thanks, LIKENIT
Any suggestions on what else to try before having it towed to the shop?
Thanks, LIKENIT
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Manual or auto tranny?
Could be a few things. Wiggle the shifter, or put it in NEUTRAL and try it. If it's a manual tranny, push on the clutch pedal a few times.
The solenoid (relay) on the fender well can do this. There are two big posts on it, one goes to the battery, one to the starter. There is also one smaller connection with a push-on connector on it. Pull that connector off.
The stud that sticks out after you pull the connector off, short that to the battery side of the solenoid with a screwdriver and see if it cranks. Be careful. If it's a stick make sure it's not in gear when you do this.
If it cranks when you short the solenoid manually as above, it's upstream from there.
If it does not crank, short the two BIG posts on the solenoid with an OLD screwdriver (it could actually melt the tip of the screwdriver, so use a throw-away). If it THEN cranks, it's the solenoid.
If either attempt doesn't make the starter crank, then the starter is probably bad. take it out and get it bench-tested.
There is another relay upstream from the solenoid I think, and a fuse or two involved.
Report back after trying the above and we'll work on it more.
Could be a few things. Wiggle the shifter, or put it in NEUTRAL and try it. If it's a manual tranny, push on the clutch pedal a few times.
The solenoid (relay) on the fender well can do this. There are two big posts on it, one goes to the battery, one to the starter. There is also one smaller connection with a push-on connector on it. Pull that connector off.
The stud that sticks out after you pull the connector off, short that to the battery side of the solenoid with a screwdriver and see if it cranks. Be careful. If it's a stick make sure it's not in gear when you do this.
If it cranks when you short the solenoid manually as above, it's upstream from there.
If it does not crank, short the two BIG posts on the solenoid with an OLD screwdriver (it could actually melt the tip of the screwdriver, so use a throw-away). If it THEN cranks, it's the solenoid.
If either attempt doesn't make the starter crank, then the starter is probably bad. take it out and get it bench-tested.
There is another relay upstream from the solenoid I think, and a fuse or two involved.
Report back after trying the above and we'll work on it more.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Our Home Is Where We Park
I tried moving the shift lever but that did not help. I decided to check out the remote aftermarket start and there is an override switch. I had disconnected the horn a few years ago because it was giving me trouble. When I held the override switch in it started. Don't know what had caused the problem but it starts without holding that in now. This was going to be my last attempt before getting an emergency road service tow because the truck is in the street and I had nothing to jack it up with in order to get at the starter etc.
Thanks for the ideas. I learned about other things to be aware of in the future. Hate to take it in as the $$$$ signs go up fast at the dealer and than you never sure if they are being on the level with you.
The door ajar light is on but that's a common problem when it rains. I've done the door latch cleaning numerous times, but rain seems to be the deciding factor with the light. If this
Thanks for the ideas. I learned about other things to be aware of in the future. Hate to take it in as the $$$$ signs go up fast at the dealer and than you never sure if they are being on the level with you.
The door ajar light is on but that's a common problem when it rains. I've done the door latch cleaning numerous times, but rain seems to be the deciding factor with the light. If this
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From: Our Home Is Where We Park
I am usually around 11 on short trips around town. On the road I drove 400 miles at 70 with no wind on a 4 lane when the truck was fairly new. Only stopped for gas. Averaged 17.3 but have never repeated that. On trips running empty now I have been getting between 14-15.
I tow a 36" 5th wheel and my GCW is around 21,500.
My mileage running regular gas this last Winter while towing ranged from 6.7 to 10.3 depending on wind conditions and grade. I kept a record of all my driving while towing but have not calculated the average for the the overall period while towing. I will send that as soon as I calculate it. Expect there to be around 7,000 miles of towing. I have 124,000 miles on the truck and generally drive between 55 & 60 towing and occasionally 65-70 if I have a good tail wind. When I program it for premium gas I notice the increase in power but I can't attest to mileage because I have never done an average while towing on a long trip.
We travel from Duluth, MN to Louisville and than on to Albuquerque, Phoenix and Tucson with a few other side trips along the way. From Oklahoma City to Flagstaff I seem to always catch a 25-30 mph wind out of the west and you climb from 1200' to 7,000' The wind and elevation is where I got the 6.7 at 55 mph.
I tow a 36" 5th wheel and my GCW is around 21,500.
My mileage running regular gas this last Winter while towing ranged from 6.7 to 10.3 depending on wind conditions and grade. I kept a record of all my driving while towing but have not calculated the average for the the overall period while towing. I will send that as soon as I calculate it. Expect there to be around 7,000 miles of towing. I have 124,000 miles on the truck and generally drive between 55 & 60 towing and occasionally 65-70 if I have a good tail wind. When I program it for premium gas I notice the increase in power but I can't attest to mileage because I have never done an average while towing on a long trip.
We travel from Duluth, MN to Louisville and than on to Albuquerque, Phoenix and Tucson with a few other side trips along the way. From Oklahoma City to Flagstaff I seem to always catch a 25-30 mph wind out of the west and you climb from 1200' to 7,000' The wind and elevation is where I got the 6.7 at 55 mph.
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Even though it started, it could still be the starter going... I had a very similar problem over a year ago during the winter. After shorting in several spots to try to figure it out, I did find that it was the starter that was bad. I couldn't get it started no matter where I shorted it.
BUT, the next day, I went out before I called the tow and try to start it. It started up just fine. It did that twice, and I figured to stop tempting fate and drive it to the shop. I can fix just about any computer, but my truck I leave to the professionals.
They bench tested the starter and it was bad... So, don't let the fact that it started lull you into a sense of security. I'd get it tested so it doesn't leave you stranded somewhere you don't want to be.
BUT, the next day, I went out before I called the tow and try to start it. It started up just fine. It did that twice, and I figured to stop tempting fate and drive it to the shop. I can fix just about any computer, but my truck I leave to the professionals.
They bench tested the starter and it was bad... So, don't let the fact that it started lull you into a sense of security. I'd get it tested so it doesn't leave you stranded somewhere you don't want to be.
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From: Our Home Is Where We Park
I gave my truck non-towing mpg's in one of the above posts.
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