Ok, this is the first time ive encountered a no start issue, and from what ive read mine seems to be a little different, maybe not if there is something i missed while reading. Anyway......last week it started acting up. When I turn the key to start (engage the starter) I hear what seems to be a clicking/chattering/sparking type sound coming from behind the dash. Kind of like the sound that is made when the battery gets low and wont start, ya know, turn the key and it clicks but no turnover due to low battery. Not exactly, but sounds similar to that, and it only makes the sound when engaging starter. When this sound is present, the engine will not start. Turn over 5 or 6 secs, nothing. Try again 5-6 secs, nothing. Try again, this time the sounds is gone and it fires right up. It does not do this every time. It does it occasionally. But it has done it about a dozen times now since last week. Each time, if that sound is present, it will not start. Sound is absent, cranks right up. At first i thought it may be the cps as i thought the tach wasnt moving with the no start. But then on other occasions the tach was moving with the no start. Then I thought it has something to do with all the rain we have been getting in south La for the past several weeks and leaks under the winsheild, but I cannot find any moisture anywhere inside the cab.

Thoughts? Comments? What should i look for when i hook up AE to check things out?

 

Load test your batteries and check the terminals. What you describe is usually a sign of low voltage.

 

Even though everything spins over just fine? I know that i said that it makes the clicking sound like when the batteries are low, but thats when nothing spins over. Right now everything is spinning over just fine but still the clicking... Anyway, guess i get to spend some time with the truck this weekend. Im starting to feel like Tugly lately Ive spent so much time with the ole gal this year..... lol

 

4 more of those to go to catch up.

This sounds like it could be one of the soldered relays on the GEM - which is proprietary and not likely a replaceable component. I hope it's something simpler.

 

I agree wit Pika, it could be corroded/bad contacts on the batteries. A lot of times that will be intermittent and seem alright for a while, then go back and forth. The first thing I thought of when you were describing the symptoms though, was moisture on the GEM/VSS and leaks, so unless you REALLY are certain that's not the situation, keep looking for moisture infiltrating the cab.

 

Perform a simple voltage drop test on the starter. That'll tell ya.

 

Update on solution..... Pikachu for the win...... finally got around to load testing batteries (start with the easy stuff first), one battery was fine, the other battery only 10-11 volts and needle falls out of sight on the load test. Thats three sets of Interstate batteries and you can mark your calendar, two years each and every time, never again. Now try the Motorcraft batteries from the Oreilly, more CA (1050) and CCA (850) than the ones i had already. Fires up now with half the amount of revolutions needed and it has that ROMMPPPFFFFF again when it fires over. I guess slow decreases of battery performance over time I forgot how it was supposed to sound and act. New batteries, ALL BETTER... check that one off the list..

 

CA1050 and CCA 850 should of been what the Interstate should of been. If they weren't, they sold you the wrong ones. I had the Motorcraft ones you just bought and they lasted about three years. Went back to the Interstate, they lasted just over six years by a month or so.

 

Batteries...glad you found the problem!

It's amazing how much trouble a little low voltage can be

 

Something I do not understand about batteries is how long they last for whom. I seem to have excessively good luck with batteries, I wish I could carry that luck into the casinos and the lottery line with me. I had one OEM battery in my 1990 E-250 last me for nine (9) years. Most of my other batteries last so long that I can't recall how old they are without checking the stickers on them. If you're killing batteries that frequently I'd be suspect of an issue with the electrical system.

 

I do hope it is just the batteries, but I feel you have deeper problems.

Was there smoke present out of the exhaust while cranking when it wouldn't start?

Please review my thread. The rain and the no start I bet are correlated. No moisture in the cab? How about in the wire loom connector(s)? (PCM, GEM, IDM)

Now, correlation doesn't always mean causality but I am leaning towards it.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-problems.html

 

The Interstates were more like 900/750.... so maybe i did have the wrong ones...


No smoke was present during the no start conditions. I still have not discovered any moisture in the cab. I have not checked the connectors. I reviewed your thread and i will check to see if there is some parasitic draw.

 

I've been studying lead acid starting batteries and their longevity for a few years now. The conclusion I have come to is they last the longest when used daily and put to bed fully charged.

 

If you have yet to tear into the idm/front drivers fender well area I would look there if other options are exhausted or symptoms persist/worsen.

If the black box (idm) is scaling or small black flecks of paint easily fall/peel off then I would inspect internals.

Simply try unplugging/cleaning harness connector and orange gasket, then crank while unplugged. Clicking present or absent in car radio area?

Reinstall, try to start.

 

Good point!

KJNDiver- Take notice and see if it could be your in-dash or in-radio CD player clicking?