Need help with expedition not starting.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Billings, MT
Need help with expedition not starting.
Hello everyone, I have a 2000 Expedition and have been having a problem with it for about four months now. I start it up and it fires right up but I get in it other times and all it does is turn over. I used to play with the door locks, locking it and unlocking it and it would start but now it wont start that way. The only way I get it to start is by putting my battery charger on it. If I let it sit for a few days without driving it the battery will go dead on me also. I have also noticed sometimes the gauges will sweep over and back and other times they wont. It has all eight new coil packs and I havent checked the fuel pump but you would think it wouldnt be that because of it starting with the battery charger. I also replaced the battery. Someone told me they thought it had something to do with the security system shutting off the fuel pump. Is this possible? Any advice would be very appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Las vegas, Nevada.
When your gauges sweep over like that it indicates low battery voltage. I would start off by testing your battery and alternator. It sounds like one of them is bad. This can easily be done with a $5.00 volt meter from Harbor Freight. Your voltage should be somewhere around 13.8-14.4 volts while running. After letting the battery sit for a few hours you should have at least 12.6 volts. You should also load test your battery, tool is around $20 at harbor freight or free at the auto parts store. Also make sure to check the connections at the battery terminals.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Billings, MT
Thanks for the replies. I just put a new interstate battery in it and new battery terminals. The alternator is working fine. I havent tested the pump. I have AE program. Will this test my fuel pressure? I am still trying to figure out the program. The car has 164,000
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
There should be a diagnostic mode where you can watch the trucks ecm while you start/run it. It would verify fuel pressure through the rail sensor. Any check engine light? If you have fuel pressure then you need to verify ignition and injector pulse.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Billings, MT
It has no check engine light. I will have to plug it in and play around with it I guess. Could it have something to do with the GEM? I just dont understand why i can get it to start every day but it wont start sometime. Now I dont have low beam headlights and my windows dont work. Does the GEM control fuel to the engine so that it just cranks?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Windows and lights could definitely be the gem. However when I popped mine the truck still started and ran
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
The battery going dead sounds like an electrical issue as do the instruments sweeping full scale. You say the battery and alt are good so maybe a grounding problem. You may have several issues ganging up on you.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 37
From: Central NYS
Are you always using the same ignition key to start it?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Billings, MT
Thanks for the help. Im going to get a gauge today and check it out. Would the fuel pump be getting weak allowing it to start sometimes? Once it starts it runs great with no problems.
I am using the same key. I only have one key. Are these a coded key?
I am using the same key. I only have one key. Are these a coded key?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 37
From: Central NYS
If the pump was getting weak you would probably have issues when driving, especially under load. More likely the pump is intermitant. The fuel gauge should show you if the pump is the issue.
Yes. The key contains a transponder that responds to an inquiry from the PCM. Be sure you don't have a bunch of keys, etc. that could block the transponder's signal to the PATS antenna.
Yes. The key contains a transponder that responds to an inquiry from the PCM. Be sure you don't have a bunch of keys, etc. that could block the transponder's signal to the PATS antenna.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
If the pump was getting weak you would probably have issues when driving, especially under load. More likely the pump is intermitant. The fuel gauge should show you if the pump is the issue.
Yes. The key contains a transponder that responds to an inquiry from the PCM. Be sure you don't have a bunch of keys, etc. that could block the transponder's signal to the PATS antenna.
Yes. The key contains a transponder that responds to an inquiry from the PCM. Be sure you don't have a bunch of keys, etc. that could block the transponder's signal to the PATS antenna.
Thats one of the little quirks my truck has-- it starts and drives without the PATS key and I was never able to figure that out
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
This is probably dumb, but have to ask... I know you said you put a new battery in it and everyone is pointing to different things. But recently had something similar happen to my Jeep and after everything else it was the battery. Just got a bad one, even though new. Weird things with gauges, rear hatch cycling like it was stuck anf then when it stopped the lights and gauges showed good. So probably too easy of an answer, but even when we jumped it or charged it, voltage check would come up as good but the minute it was hooked up...no go. Did you take the new battery back to the store and have them verify all cells are good and cold crank, etc? We did, they said it was good but problem cont'd and looked it up on a forum. Everyone said they changed the battery and it worked! Went back to store and they tried to tell me sometimes it's harder to start in cold weather, duh! Anyway, another ew battery and presto-works just fine. Sometimes new batteries aren't good from the get go.
Hope you get it figured out, good luck.
Hope you get it figured out, good luck.