Hey All,
I'm new here and a new owner of a 2004 F150 Supercab Lariat 4x4 with approx 24K miles. I bought it this past Saturday from a dealership 1 hour away from me. Couldn't beat the price.
Anyhow, it was parked overnight outside with a temp around 20F. I went out to start it Sunday and let it warm up around noon and it wouldn't start. The battery indicator was registering in the middle of the gauge which is normal. I tried a couple more times and nothing happened. No noise, no clicking...nothing. Another try gave the same result. On the 4th or 5th time, it turned over like nothing was wrong.
Since the battery gauge was showing normal, does anyone have an idea of what might have happened. A friend mentioned that the starter may have a dead spot on it and that's why it didn't turn over or make any kind of noise during start-up. Would a dealer be able to diagnose this or check the starter to see if there actually is a dead spot on it? It's still under warranty so I want to get this remedied now rather than later on my nickel. Since that day, it has started fine but it always it eh back of my mind that it will do this again.
I will admit I'm new to this and really don't know alot about the internal working of an engine/electrical system. But, I want to learn so I can take care of things in the future and not depend exclusively on the dealerships. I appreciate any input/advice you can give to me. Thank you.

 

Could be something simple like your battery terminals being dirty.....

 

maybe starter solenoid?

 

Or could just be loose or rotted battery cables, either at the battery or where they attach to the starter or ground location. Tighten the cables at the battery (clean them first if they're corroded with a metal battery terminal brush-find them at any auto part store), snug the connections down tight at the battery and follow the cables to where they end. Tighten, and/or clean those mounting points as well and hope it doesn't happen again. It could also be something more sinister and internal, in which case you'd want the dealer to fix that pronto.

Good luck with the truck and welcome to the boards!!!

 

Hi, are you using the black coded key? I have a key that isn't coded (spare key) that will do the same no start response.

 

Thanks guys...I will look into the terminals and cables running to the starter and the contact points. So far it hasn't done it again but it is supposed to get really cold this week around here. If it does it again, it's going into the dealer and I will have them look into the other thigns you guys mentioned, i.e. the solenoid, etc. Thanks for the ideas.

 

mike, it wouldn't start at any time with that uncoded key. It's a decent point, if someone doesn't use the same key all the time, but if it's the same key being used all the time, then he can rule that out. Worth a check anyway Danny.

 

I had about the same problem cold start=no start at temps below 30*, the throttle blade was not sending the correct signal to the ecu. The local ford garage renewed all the upper intake and throttle body sensors as well as the throttle body. This did not fix the problem. On my second visit after the truck didn't start after "being fixed" they replaced the ecu and I have had no problem since.