2000 F-150 Problem Starting
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Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2021
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We checked fuse #21, looked fine, but to be on the safe side, we traded it with another 15 amp fuse. No luck. We tried starting it and moving the shifter through the gears to see if the alignment was off, no luck. I put my probe on the small signal wire and turned the key, no light on the probe, so I don't believe we are getting a signal from the key/steering column. I can still start the truck by using my adjustable wrench and touching the brass lugs on the relay.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
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From: St Louis
We checked fuse #21, looked fine, but to be on the safe side, we traded it with another 15 amp fuse. No luck. We tried starting it and moving the shifter through the gears to see if the alignment was off, no luck. I put my probe on the small signal wire and turned the key, no light on the probe, so I don't believe we are getting a signal from the key/steering column. I can still start the truck by using my adjustable wrench and touching the brass lugs on the relay.
1. Try shorting the always hot terminal on the starter relay to the small terminal. If the relay is good, it will pull in and the starter will engage. Also makes less of a spark.
2. Check to see if F21 goes Hot in Start. That splits the circuit and narrows the focus.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2021
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Two things to check:
1. Try shorting the always hot terminal on the starter relay to the small terminal. If the relay is good, it will pull in and the starter will engage. Also makes less of a spark.
2. Check to see if F21 goes Hot in Start. That splits the circuit and narrows the focus.
1. Try shorting the always hot terminal on the starter relay to the small terminal. If the relay is good, it will pull in and the starter will engage. Also makes less of a spark.
2. Check to see if F21 goes Hot in Start. That splits the circuit and narrows the focus.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 51
Likes: 11
Update - I had bought a remote start switch from autozone a few days ago, 7.99 plus tax btw, and had been using it to start the truck from under the hood until I could figure out the problem. And lo and behold, today my son went out to start the truck and move it under our carport, and it started when he turned the key. This is the first time it has started with the key. I don't have an explanation as to why it worked today and not for the past month. I can't think of anything we changed. Anyway, we are good for now. Thanks to all for your help...
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Cross-Country
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Update - We were able to start the truck by just using the key the other day, but then the next day, no luck. I can still start the truck under the hood using the remote start switch. So, we have a working solution, but not so elegant. For now, I will start the truck with the switch (if needed), but in the near future, I will try and troubleshoot the real problem. Thanks again to all for your suggestions. Ed
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