I was doing some "discovery" on the truck yesterday.
I pulled the dash cluster out to try to figure out why:

1. The dash illumination lights don't work
2. The speedometer doesn't work
3. The fuel gauge doesn't work
4. The wiper/washer illumination bulb doesn't work
5. The ash tray lamp doesn't work

I'll post separate threads for what I found for the items listed - I want to focus this thread on the intermittent starting issue.

Once I got the dash re-installed, I went for a short drive with my son.
I got a few blocks down the road (local neighborhood road, no traffic) and decided to stop and turn the truck off. I was just testing the headlights, brights, turn signals, and interior courtesy lights for just a minute.

When I turned the key to restart, it would not turn over. No clicks, no nothing.

The headlights still worked and the brake light and fasten seat belts lights on the dash worked.

I opened the hood and wiggled the negative wire on the battery around a bit and also wiggled the boots on the starter solenoid a little.

I got back in and it started right up.

THIS HAS HAPPENED EXACTLY TWICE BEFORE.

The first time was within 10 minutes of buying the truck (last month).
Seller rushed off to buy new starter solenoid and new negative battery terminal bracket (the one that sits on the negative battery post and has the negative wire attached to it). After installation the truck started and everything was fine.

The second time it happened was when we were driving it back to Tampa after the purchase. We stopped for gas and when I tried to start it, it was dead. It wouldn't turn over or click or anything. Although, I had headlights.

It never did this again until yesterday.

Any ideas?

 

I'm thinking ignition switch is on its way out, or you have a bad ground. Time to do some wire chasing (FUN FUN)

 

Hi all

I realized I never posted up what I found out on this problem.

When I started thinking about the problem, I remembered that I had the exact same issue with my 2001 Excursion. This was years ago, but I ended up having to have the X towed to my mechanic because it just wouldn't start. But it had the same exact symptoms - lights, and all elec work but it does nothing when you turn the key.

My mechanic fixed it and said it was some kind of bushing in the steering column or something. The effect was that when I shifted from drive to park, it wasn't going entirely into park. And this was totally intermittent.

When I remembered that, the next time it happened with the F100, I simply shifted out of park, then back into park again and it started right up.

This continues to happen and every time it does, I just wiggle the gear selector or shift to reverse then back to park and it starts right up. You can even shift to neutral and start it.

Eventually I will get around to fixing the bushing or whatever it is. I think I have read some other posts and it could be the Neutral Safety Switch going out.

Hope this helps someone else in the future.