Starting by itself

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Jan 10, 2019 | 06:37 PM

Gabrial

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Starting by itself

Hi, this is my first time on one of these, I just got my dream truck while at college and it's been awesome. Unfortunately, when I went home for winter break I left the door cracked and it killed my battery. My buddies and I tried to jump it but it didn't work and then after a couple of jumping attempts when I took the keys out it tried starting without the keys in the ignition but it didn't have enough juice to start. I kinda panicked and stopped the jump then took the battery to AutoZone to have it charged and then they said it was dead so I got a new one. When I put the new battery in the car it started by itself with the keys in my pocket. I unplugged the battery and the motor ran off the alternator for like half an hour then randomly died. My first and really only idea was that during the jump I held the key down for too long and melted the starting wires together. I would really love some help with this because I don't really have enough cash for a mechanic. Thank you!

Jan 10, 2019 | 07:47 PM

pdqford

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: Central NYS

Check the starter relay located on the firewall.
You May have welded the internal contacts together so that it can’t release power to the starter.

https://startersolenoid.net/how-to-t...starter-relay/

Jan 10, 2019 | 07:58 PM

steve(ill)

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well, that would make it CRANK, but how does it start without a CHIP KEY in the ignition ? You have bigger problems, but PDQ is right, the relay may be stuck causing it to crank ........ could also be a failed starter switch - stuck ON.

Jan 10, 2019 | 08:01 PM

steve(ill)

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maybe go to the starter relay on the firewall.... disconnect the battery cable from the relay, ( or maybe the outlet cable to the starter)... then connect the battery.. see what terminals are hot after that...... see if the key functions and turns on the lights / radio / dash / etc without the STARTER.

Jan 10, 2019 | 08:15 PM

ford390gashog

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From: Brentwood,CA

Do you have anything plugged into the 12v outlets inside the truck? The PCM controls the alternator which means it was getting signal. Is there any form of aftermarket alarm or stereo?

Jan 11, 2019 | 05:58 AM

projectSHO89

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From: St Louis

I told him (on another forum) to look under the dash for a remote starter that's gone rogue. That's the only logical thing that's going to satisfy PATS.