New to the forum. I haven't seen this question come up yet. New 15, F150 3.0, 12500 miles. Twice it would not start. First time about a month ago at home wife said it would crank but not start. She tried 3 times before it started. Happened to me at the grocery store three days ago. Starter cranks, but no start. No fire, no putter, no nothing. 7th try starts and runs like normal. No other running issues, no rough idle or hesitation, no other symptoms. Has anyone experienced this. I have checked with the local dealer without the truck and they tell me no records or TSBs on this and of course said, "bring it in" which I will. Looking for some others with this experience. Truck is way too new and way to expensive for this to happen.

 

Hey Steve, welcome to FTE!

We need to know what engine your truck has, there's never been an F150 with a 3.0L engine.

Lots of things can cause a no-start condition. Have you had it scanned for trouble codes?

 

Hey Steve, welcome to FTE!

We need to know what engine your truck has, there's never been an F150 with a 3.0L engine.

Lots of things can cause a no-start condition. Have you had it scanned for trouble codes?

 

One Saturday morning in March my truck wouldn't start.

Scenario:

1) Inside I use the remote start
2) Go into garage and hit the opener and truck isn't running. Ok, that's weird.
3) Standing in the garage I try the remote start and the engine cranks n cranks n cranks and then times out. No start.
4) Sitting in the truck I try again, still no start.
5) Give up and call the tow truck
6) Try again when the wrecker comes, no dice.
7) Ride with the driver to the dealer, unload from the roll-back.
8) Driver asks "Gonna try again before going inside?"
9) Me: "Sure, watch it'll start" and sure enough VROOOOOM!
10) Dealer scans for codes (none) checks various other things for an hour and nothing.
11) Has worked fine since then, but that incident is still sketchy to me.

Josh

 

Tom, sorry its 3.5L

 

Bullit, had to make an appointment for them to scan mine will be monday. Im afraid they will find same thing "nothing". I will keep you all posted

 

We had almost this exact same scenario with an '89 Jeep Cherokee. Happened almost exactly like that at least 6 times; including the tow truck deal.

About a month before we sold it, a really sharp tech figured out it was "slop" in the ignition key linkage. This particular vehicle did not have the ignition switch in the steering column, but it was mounted down at the base of the steering column above the brake pedal. There was a worm gear that changed the direction of rotation that had developed slack. So "sometimes" you would turn the key and engage the starter, but not the ignition. Same exact symptoms: starter but no spark. That fixed the problem that had been bugging us for a couple of years.

 

Update: Local dealer had the truck all day, conclusion: starter relay. Had to order the relay and will be in tomorrow. Thought it strange that a simple relay wouldn't be in stock. We shall see if this fixes problem. On another note, my wife mentioned that I had changed the oil and filter myself. Wix filter, Mobil 1, 5w20. Service tech states to her that the wix filter will have to be changed to Motorcraft due to the backflow valve keeping oil in the upper engine etc. Also was "concerned" the her husband had used the proper weight oil, which by the way is molded into the oil fill cap and painted yellow. I didnt fall off the turnip wagon yesterday and have changed more than my fair share of oil. I challenged the service manager about this. She said that oh he didnt say that because my wife is a woman and yes there was a TSB out that says "the ford trucks dont like other types of filters". yes that is a quote. I quickly informed her that the truck and its motor are not able to like or dislike they only pump oil thru the filter. It does have to be the recommended size yes. She argued the point and said that if something happened she had seen Ford not honor warranties. Again I challenged her saying that outside of the proper size the could not compel me to buy their brand. Tell me has anyone heard this before? And what about TSB's How can I get them?

 

Really sounds to me like you need another dealer.

The only thing the starter relay does is switch power to the starter motor. If the engine cranks when it should, your relay is working just fine. Blaming a Wix filter is also ridiculous.

I've seen TSBs in the past that blame aftermarket filters for cold start noises that are attributed to the anti-drainback valve in the filter. Issues with that seem few and far between though, and I've never heard of an oil filter that could prevent the engine from starting. They're in left field, I'd bring it to a different dealer.

 

Magnuson-Moss Act is all the ammo you need for any service advisor.

Josh

 

Thanks Josh. Was looking for that info. Tom I will not use this dealership again. I bought the truck in another town at larger dealership, that so far has bent over backwards for my business. I thought that the local guys would save me time in driving. No more. I will take vacation time if necessary to go the extra distance. I am documenting all this with my truck. I still like the truck and am happy. Just dont want to have to deal with something so annoying nor with holier than thou service folk who treat me as an ignorant troglodyte. I'm sure that Mother Ford would be rather unhappy knowing how a customer was treated too. Thanks again Josh and Tom, will keep this thread updated if and when my journey continues.