I have a 2006 RV with an 2005 E450 chassis with the V10 engine.

In the past few months the RV has trouble starting when left over night. I put the key in and turn it and the engine lights come on and gauges come to life but the engine does not turn over. I turn the key to start 10 to 20 times and the engine starts fine. Once the engine is started the engine starts normally on the first try.

I have done and checked the following and still get the problem.

New starter/solenoid
New battery
checked fuses
swapped starter relays
replaced key/ignition cylinder

My only remaining thought is that there is a lack of fuel pressure when starting it in the morning and once it is started the fuel pressure is good so there is no problem starting it the second time.

Any suggestions?

 

Are you parking on a hill nose up? Fuel lines draining back to the tank(s)?

 

Nope, flat ground.

 

This almost certainly is a fuel pressure issue. I'd check for an accurate fuel pressure reading at the fuel rails when running, see how it changes with throttle position or engine RPM's.

From there its either the Fuel Pressure Regulator or the fuel pump itself.

My guess is the fuel pump is at fault, its allowing residual fuel pressure to bleed off after sitting several or more hours.


HTH

 

So does the lack of fuel pressure keep the starter from turning the engine over? I would think the starter would turn over, cranking the engine excessively until fuel pressure came up. Looks like the original poster was going at the problem from the electrical side rather than the fuel delivery.

 

This is my question. If the fuel pump were bad the engine would turn over and it does not. The only thing I can think of is that if the engine has some sensor that reads low fuel pressure and prevents it from turning over then it could be the fuel pump.

Does anyone know if the engine has any type of sensor to tell if the engine has low fuel pressure and prevents it from turning over?

 

Not for fuel pressure.


Have you tried starting with all of your keys to see if the problem persists on the copies?
Could be that you have a bad PASS key, and the transponder in the column is not reading the key right away

 

Okay if we're address this no-crank condition except after repeated starting tries it could be due the sliding contact switch or the interconnecting rod from the ignition key lock cylinder, all located on or inside the steering column.

I'm not familiar with the PASS system but skewed logic suggests if its preventing starter engagement a few times it would in theory prevent it every time. IOW the no crank condition wouldn't be intermittent.

 

I like this better, as I re-read the entire thread, and I see he has changed the key cylinder.
That being said, he does not have the PASS system in his van.


In the Pass system, when the transponder battery in the key starts to fail, it will sometimes not start the vehicle.
The key will still function, IE open the doors, and turn the ignition on, but will not engage the starter. Basically acting like a copy of the key without the transponder in the key

 

It does not have a PASS system, just an old fashion key. As mentioned I did change the key cylinder and still the problem.

I think the next step is the neutral safety switch. I don't think that is the problem but since I have replaced everything else I can't think of anything else to change.

 

I think JWA is right, I think the ignition switch on top the column is either bad, or in need of adjustment.
drop the column down ( it's on top, has a rod coming from the key switch)
use the key, and see if the switch is working properly, and adjust it if not


If you need a new switch, Rockauto has a Motorcraft switch
<table class="main" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid black; border-image: none; border-collapse: separate; background-color: white;" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="part0" id="table512part0" name="pltr512"><td class="alternate0" rowspan="2"><table class="parts"><tbody><tr><td class="left" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><table class="layout" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td class="partlayout">MOTORCRAFT Part # SW6158 <input title="Click for more information about this part" class="moreinfo_default" id="node512part0moreinfo" type="button" value="Info"> {#5C3T11572AA, 5C3Z11572AA}
5C3T-11572-AA

</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="right" style="height: 40px;">


</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="center leftrightborder boldfont priceonly alternate0" id="node512part0price" style="padding-top: 10px;">$23.79</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

The NSS will not let the starter engage if it's not in Park or Neutral.

A quick check is to drop the shiftier into Neutral and see if the starter engages.
And/or jiggle the shiftier around to see if it will engage the starter.

But, when you wrote......"but the engine does not turn over"......Do you mean that the starter is not engaging (cranking), or the engine will not start/run??

If the NSS passes the quick check, I'm with JWA on this, a problem with the push rod from the key switch to the starter switch, or the starter switch on the bottom of the steering column is bad, and need of replacement.

 

Thanks for the tips on the switch. I will take it apart and see if there is any adjustment needed or order the part from Rock auto and see if that is the problem.

 

Have you checked The emergency fuel line Shut off button Which is usually located At the floor board area of the passenger side Up front behind the panel On the right Underneath the glove box area