Starts when it feels like it!!!
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Junior User
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Starts when it feels like it!!!
2000 F150 4.6L 2WD.
Truck starts fine when it is cold, or has not been started after several hours. The truck runs great, but if I go some where and the truck is only shut down for and hour or so, when I try to start it again it will not turn over. When the key is turned to the start postition all the normal lights come on, I can hear the fuel pump put gas in the engine, and there is a slight click but the engine will not turn over. If I wait a few hours and try again it will start as if nothing is wrong. I have swaped out the relays and no help. The battery is good, when the engine does turn over it starts quick as if nothing is wrong. I have no idea of what to look at to fix this issue. Please help. Ask any question you want, I am at a loss!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
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Sounds like the starter solenoid is bad. It's right on the starter. First though, check the red battery cable to the starter solenoid. At your truck's age, that connection could be bad. If it looks OK ( and a bad one will have most of the copper strands corroded away), pull the starter and have it tested. It's no cost at A.Z.
Dave
P.S.- Might want to trace the black ground cable to the block, make sure it's clean/tight.
Dave
P.S.- Might want to trace the black ground cable to the block, make sure it's clean/tight.
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Thanks for the response, are you recomending the starter soilinoid because I said there was a click when I turned the key. If so I need to be more discriptive. The click i hear sounds like its inside the cab. I pulled the PCM relay and there was no click when I turned the key. If you feel it may still be the starter soilinoid I will give it a look. Thanks.
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The click you hear is likely the starter relay. It's on the firewall, passenger side. Sounds like it's coming from under the dash though.
Engine heat can eventually cause grief with the solenoid, because of it's location. Not nearly the problem it was a few years ago, but it does happen.
Before you spend any $$$, check every battery cable connection. Clean them if needed.
Dave
P.S.- If you can get it started again, and have a parts store nearby that will test the charging system, get the truck warmed up good and have them test the system. I was assuming all that was good regarding my first reply. But, the battery might not be taking a full charge, or none at all. If either is the case, it's drawing a lot of power starting when cold, then maybe running off just the battery or alternator. If you try repeating the start cycle again, soon after, there might not be enough built back up to run the starter. Let it sit until cold again, and a fairly good battery will build up enough juice to maybe start it one time.
Engine heat can eventually cause grief with the solenoid, because of it's location. Not nearly the problem it was a few years ago, but it does happen.
Before you spend any $$$, check every battery cable connection. Clean them if needed.
Dave
P.S.- If you can get it started again, and have a parts store nearby that will test the charging system, get the truck warmed up good and have them test the system. I was assuming all that was good regarding my first reply. But, the battery might not be taking a full charge, or none at all. If either is the case, it's drawing a lot of power starting when cold, then maybe running off just the battery or alternator. If you try repeating the start cycle again, soon after, there might not be enough built back up to run the starter. Let it sit until cold again, and a fairly good battery will build up enough juice to maybe start it one time.
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Dave, The battery is good, Alt. good, checked all fuses there good. Took a chance and changed the ignition switch still will not start unless I put the key to run and jump the solinoid switch on the fire wall. Still looking, I will ltart tracing wires tomorrow.
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ericolicious
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Nov 21, 2004 03:23 PM
