Like usual, i have a problem that no one else has and it sounds like its something electrical/sensor/PCM related.

Every few mornings, ill go out to my truck and go to fire it up...and it'll just crank away. After i give up on cranking and shut the key off, go to try again, it fires up instantly, like nothing is wrong. Sometimes in the morning itll just have an extended crank but eventually start. Regardless...it always starts. Sometimes it cranks really strong the entire time, sometimes the crank gets weaker the longer you crank...i don't think its HPO related, but i definitely could be wrong.

Ficm voltage looks good KOEO, cranking and running. I had my batteries tested at ford a few weeks ago and they "said" they were good (motorcraft 850ccas). Alternator is strong. When cranking, ive seen the voltage drop anywhere from 10.2 to 9.4v. I never know when this is going to happen and i can't hook up AE every morning and sit and wait, but based on my scangauge, i see ICP shoot up to over 1500 as soon as it fires.

Only code ive gotten is P0148, which is fuel delivery error/engine speed higher than expected. I've gone ahead and replaced my camshaft position sensor with a ford sensor a few days ago...it hasn't done a no-start yet, but it did do an extended crank. I think my next stop is PCM replacement, but figured id get some ideas from you guys before that hassle. Thanks!

 

Just the kind of problem a ScanGauge is good for. Load up the sync X gauges and wait for it to mess up.

 

x2

I'd also be careful on the extended cranking at such low voltages. 9.4 is far from awesome. Ford spec for FICM health says not less than 9.3 volts for never more than five seconds. I say that 9. anything isn't awesome pretty well ever.

Good luck!

 

Miles,

I saw 9.9v recently on a set of 850CCA 1.5 year old batteries... they are now AGM batteries. It occasionally did the same thing...RRRRRRRRR>>RRR>R and I thought the same thing, is it going to start, key off, re-try and a quick start. Hasn't happened since I replaced them, see nothing lower than 11.6v now.

 

Sounds like weak batteries to me too. Could be wrong though.

 

Hmm. These are motorcraft batteries only 2.5 years old. Haven't heard the best things about them though so I guess it wouldn't surprise me. Ford said they were in excellent shape but who knows

 

It could be a worn starter drawing too much from the batteries during cranking.
Do you have an inductive ammeter to do a starter current draw test?

 

Yes I have a few. I'll have to check that. Does anyone know the normal amp draw?

And would the starter only do this randomly? It's not dependant on ambient temperature or how long it previously was parked. Just totally random. Sometimes before work, sometimes after

 

Could be a bad spot on the starter armature, only acts up when the starter is sitting in that spot.

 

Google says: "According to the service manual, normal current draw is 365 amps. Maximum current draw is 1300 amps."
But, that's a pretty wide range!!!

 

I'm thinking 6.4 starter and at least a good reason to get one.. it might be the starter, I'm not sure, but lets try, wouldn't want to be stranded.

 

Huh... Yeah I'd say so lol. I'll have to check it out when I get back to the shop and see what it's pulling. I'm fairly sure it's a Napa starter, maybe 5 years old

 

Here and some videos by the way

Cranking away

Longer than normal crank but started first time

And a normal cold start. How it is 90% of the time...

 

it hates that music! Doesn't sound like a starter issue to me.

 

The starter can sound normal and draw too much current, the extra current draw can draw the voltage low and the low voltage can cause the FICM and injectors not to work properly. Not saying that's the case. But, if you have the inductive ammeter, it's worth checking.