Starting issues
New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2
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5.4 starting issues
I have a 2005 F150 with a 5.4 it has had a starting issue form about 5000 miles currently at 55000 and Ford can't seem to figure out what is wrong with it. They have put in 2 new starters and it still does it. When you turn the key on to start it the starter has a VERY LOUD wine sound almost like you turned the key when it was already running it takes several atempts to get it to catch and start. I think it is the fly wheel ??? and you can't shim these starters so that is out.. I need help anyone please 
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 81
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I have had this same thing happen to me 3 times in the 2 months i've had my truck (2006 F150 5.4 4x4). It actually happened for the third time yesterday, real loud grinding sort of squeal. I cant reproduce it though, it happens when it wants. But also i've had the truck not start the first time i turn the key, i have to wait a couple seconds and try again, then it starts fine. This has happened a few times also.
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I have the same truck and the same problem and just last night I also got a check engine light but no DTC's so I'm not sure what is wrong with it. I have noticed that the injectors make excessive noise since it was new so I never thought anything of it. My truck just came out of warranty in June but if there was a recall issue with the injectors I'd like to know because I'll take it in to get fixed. I also experience a somwhat rough idle when stopped at a red light.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 431
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From: Winnipeg Canada
from what i can gather that grinding/whining noise is the solenoid NOT kicking the pinion out. the starter is spinning and ramping up RPM which is the whining noise then sometimes it will actually kick out and grind on the flywheel OR you have a few teeth missing on your flywheel. you can check to see if your pull in winding has continuity by disconnecting the the ground wire that runs from the solenoid to the field windings then placing one of your multimeter leads on the "S" (signal from the firewall mounted magnetic switch) terminal and one on the "M" terminal (the terminal ON the solenoid that you disconnected from the starter's field windings. set your meter to ohms and you should read a very low resistance. this is just ONE check you can do for the starter. there are other checks you can do to check for this same problem but i suspect that the pull in windings are not working.
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I have the same truck and the same problem and just last night I also got a check engine light but no DTC's so I'm not sure what is wrong with it. I have noticed that the injectors make excessive noise since it was new so I never thought anything of it. My truck just came out of warranty in June but if there was a recall issue with the injectors I'd like to know because I'll take it in to get fixed. I also experience a somwhat rough idle when stopped at a red light.
Ran some Lucas fuel injector cleaner through it and stopped filling up at WAWA. I looked on the internet and apparently Turkey hill is on the list for gas stations with high quality gas, so that's where my baby takes a drink from now on. Haven't had any trouble since.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: washington state
BUMP___having same problem, old thread but maybe someone can shed some light ?????
i just did plugs, air filter, oil change, maf clean, TB clean. tested 1 side of rail with key on saw no leaks from injectors
i just did plugs, air filter, oil change, maf clean, TB clean. tested 1 side of rail with key on saw no leaks from injectors
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 730
Likes: 9
From: plymouth mi
I had this problem a little over a year ago, same symptoms, except that it did set a code, changed the plug and coil on cylinder that set the code and cleared the code(p0308) and the check engine light came back on a week later, I bought an injector for that cylinder but never changed it, what I found was that I had a leaking injector, added seafoam fuel system treatment for two tanks and then added stp for third tank and switched gas stations, problem went away the same way came. hope that helps.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 730
Likes: 9
From: plymouth mi
running fuel system cleaner through the tank and switching gas stations took care of it, cel hasnt come back on since engine idles nice and starts good, I had intentions of going farther but the problem went away after what litle I did.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 730
Likes: 9
From: plymouth mi
I believe that it was an injector because the starter itself would actualy stall for a brief second and i would have to let go of the key, wait a few seconds and retry, what else is going to stall a starter like that except for too much fuel in the cylinder? There was a recall on the 05 5.4 and some of the 06 engines were affected also for bad fuel injectors, so just a guess on my part.
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