Electrical no-starting issue

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Jan 21, 2016 | 08:58 AM

VTENX

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From: Central Arkansas

Electrical no-starting issue

Periodically my X doesn't want to start. Doesn't even turn over or crank. The weird thing is, sometimes it acts like the battery is too weak and the radio will flash on or maybe I hear a fast kink-kink-kink sound. Other times, it's just dead, like it doesn't even have a battery in it. Eventually it works again and cranks like a charm. Starts right up.

The ground from the battery to the fender looks good. I noticed the ground from the frame to the body was gone, so I replaced that. Didn't change a thing.

I'm reading all the things it COULD be and I'm getting frustrated. I hate electrical problems.

What's the best place to start?

2000 V10 Excursion XLT, 180,000 miles

Jan 21, 2016 | 10:55 AM

harley4jcs

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From: Central Tx.

I would do these things to begin. 1st charge up the battery & then load test it. If that checked out then I would replace the leads. ( even though I would seriously doubt an old cable would give you the total dead battery symptom.)

Jan 21, 2016 | 11:15 AM

VTENX

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From: Central Arkansas

I put a new battery on it. Didn't help. I've thought about the leads. Might try that.

Jan 21, 2016 | 11:31 AM

harley4jcs

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From: Central Tx.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTENX

I put a new battery on it. Didn't help. I've thought about the leads. Might try that.

LOAD TEST the battery when you are have any of the issues you described.

Jan 21, 2016 | 11:51 AM

Twitchyleprechaun

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2014

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From: Almost back in TX biotche

I sometimes have an issue where nothing happens when I turn key to start. All my electronics will come on with no issues but it just sometimes won't crank, click, or anything. I have to turn my headlights on and try again and it works right away everytime. Not sure why, don't even care anymore because I am tired of trying to track the issue down.

Jan 21, 2016 | 10:12 PM

projectSHO89

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From: St Louis

Bad battery cable or connection.

Feb 5, 2016 | 02:57 PM

VTENX

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From: Central Arkansas

Update:

I could tell the terminal with the ground going to it had been arcing some -- it had also been replaced at some point by the previous owner. So I redid that terminal and crimped an eyelet onto the ground wire and bolted it to the terminal.

I also researched the common issue of the two T30 bolts backing out on the shifter column. I checked them and they were 1.5-2 turns backed out. So I tightened them.

It all seems to be good now. I don't really know what fixed it, but I'm glad it's fixed.