ignition/starting issues?
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Trailering
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 22
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ignition/starting issues?
I have a ‘95 f350 351, auto, low miles, and overall good shape... since purchasing it last year I have put a new optima battery, new alternator, new starter & solenoid, new spark plugs & wires, and new ignition switch. This morning makes the third time I’ve have issues or trouble getting it to start or even turn over. The last time (about 3 weeks ago) I had it towed and new starter & solenoid put in it and it ran great until this morning. It usually only gets driven about 1 or 2 times a week...and only 20-40miles at that. Assuming everything that’s been replaced is functioning correctly, could it be a bad/faulty ignition coil and/or distributor? I’m no mechanic and know just the very basics of engine repair/work. I know most people will roll their eyes when I say this; but I did some basic google searches on signs of old/faulty ignition coil, and they said some signs could be backfiring, higher/louder than normal engine idle, starting issues, stalling, etc. I also realize that these “signs” could be the same for any number of other unrelated issues. I could very well go home today and it start right up...I have a hard time believing that cold weather would make it fail to start or turn over all together, but then again...I’m no mechanic. Any suggestions or help is much appreciated.
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Trailering
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
it sounded like it spun over but no cranking at all. Check engine and battery lights on the dash came on but no cranking or clicking of any kind. You can barely hear a faint noise (like something electrical is trying to engage) but absolutely nothing after that. Silent.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 52
From: Sacramento Delta, CA
"It sounded like it spun over but no cranking at all" confuses me. Is the starter spinning i.e., "cranking" the engine or not?
My 95 351 crank no start no spark symptom was caused by a too weak PIP signal which was caused by the stator failing in the distributor.
If it turns over but does not start, follow the crank no start decision tree here:
Part 1 -How to Troubleshoot a No Start (Ford 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L).
And yes, you have to build the LED test light he describes because the LED test light I bought from the store would not do the test.
When I followed it, it told me that I had a bad stator (PIP output) from the distributor. I bought a new distributor (steel not cast gear) and then modded it slightly with some parts I took off my old distributor and everything is running fine.
Follow the decision tree. Don't take short cuts. But it is about time for your stator to fail. No PIP output. No spark. That's why my symptom was called "Crank No Start."
This might be interesting reading for you:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...51-eec-iv.html
My 95 351 crank no start no spark symptom was caused by a too weak PIP signal which was caused by the stator failing in the distributor.
If it turns over but does not start, follow the crank no start decision tree here:
Part 1 -How to Troubleshoot a No Start (Ford 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L).
And yes, you have to build the LED test light he describes because the LED test light I bought from the store would not do the test.
When I followed it, it told me that I had a bad stator (PIP output) from the distributor. I bought a new distributor (steel not cast gear) and then modded it slightly with some parts I took off my old distributor and everything is running fine.
Follow the decision tree. Don't take short cuts. But it is about time for your stator to fail. No PIP output. No spark. That's why my symptom was called "Crank No Start."
This might be interesting reading for you:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...51-eec-iv.html
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 5
From: Lewisville, Texas
My 96 was having similar problems that I solved by taking the battery cables apart and cleaning them with a wire brush until they sparkled. After reassembling them it has started every time. I suppose I could have replaced both cables if I wanted to spend more money.
matt
matt
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