won't start ... need ideas

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Mar 27, 2003 | 10:18 PM

RedInline6

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From: Chisholm, Mn

won't start ... need ideas

ok here's the story. a week ago my truck stalled as i was driving. shifting from 2nd to 3rd ... poof, no engine. tried to start it and no help. checked all the connections and they were fine. had it towed home and the next day it was fine. then 2 nights later it tried to stall again. if i hit the gas and reaaaaaaaaally slip the clutch it would not stall. the next day it was fine. been fine till tonight when i couldn't start it at work. played with it a bit and then the battery died. i think it's the solinoid but not sure. the starter runs and the engine turns over but won't start. now i have no idea what else to do. any ideas? oops it's a 1994 f150 xl with the i6 and the towing and handling package. 5speed tranny

Last edited by RedInline6; Mar 27, 2003 at 10:21 PM.

Mar 27, 2003 | 10:34 PM

steve83

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From: Memphis, TN

won't start ... need ideas

The solenoid (on the starter) only sends power from the battery to the starter motor, so if the starter spins, the solenoid is good.

But the '94 4.9L didn't use a starter with a solenoid, so you'll never have that problem.

The relay (on the fender) does the same thing, so that's not the problem either.

Have you pulled the codes? I'm expecting you'll get a PIP or IDM code, and that you'll eventually find your coil tests bad. The Haynes manual tells how to check it with a multimeter. They're ~$30.

Mar 27, 2003 | 10:41 PM

RedInline6

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From: Chisholm, Mn

won't start ... need ideas

yeah the haynes manual is the first thing i'm going to buy tommorrow. i'm going to pull the battery out of my 72 gmc tommorrow and try that too. would the coil only work part of the time?

Mar 27, 2003 | 11:36 PM

steve83

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From: Memphis, TN

won't start ... need ideas

If the battery is strong enough to spin the starter, it's strong enough to run the truck, so don't worry about that.

Coils on the verge of death are often very sensitive to heat, so they can work intermittently. Mine blew a fuse 2 weeks before it left me on the side of the road. No other symptoms until it died.

Mar 27, 2003 | 11:37 PM

RedInline6

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From: Chisholm, Mn

won't start ... need ideas

mine works fine when the air is warm, but *****ty when it's cold. i'm lost and it's starting to **** me off.

Mar 27, 2003 | 11:39 PM

steve83

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From: Memphis, TN

won't start ... need ideas

Quote:

Originally posted by steve83
Have you pulled the codes?

Mar 27, 2003 | 11:47 PM

RedInline6

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From: Chisholm, Mn

won't start ... need ideas

actually it's still at work. where is the diagnostic connector in the engine compartment (truck didn't come with the manual)?

Mar 28, 2003 | 07:25 AM

RedInline6

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won't start ... need ideas

cool, thanks. now i have to wait for the parts stores to open

Mar 29, 2003 | 11:55 AM

#10

RedInline6

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From: Chisholm, Mn

won't start ... need ideas

well it's the coil. the primary resistance reads 3 ohms when it should be .5 to 1 ohms and the terminal has chunks out of it. looks like when it gets cold and damp it's too much resistance and not enuf power to start the engine. off to the parts store. thanks guys.