My friend bought an '05 F250, with about 90,000 miles on it, from Chino Hills Ford last December and it was running great up until a few weeks ago when it wouldn't start. Had it towed to the same dealer who replaced the computer (for about $2,000.00). Truck ran for about a week and then it started misbehavin again. The glow pug indicator lights up and the engine will turn over but it just won't start. Truck gets towed back to the dealer who keeps it for a week where they say that every morning they start up the truck just fine. Bring the truck home, drive it for a few days and damned if the same thing happens - engine cranks over but it won't start.

My question is - has anyone ever experienced something like this and what was the problem/solution. Also, are there common/known issues with something like this? And, are there some areas where I could shotgun some trouble shooting to localize what the problem might be? It just doesn't make sense that the computer, after being replaced would continue to be the problem.

I sure would be thankful and grateful for any information that you all might be able to pass my way.

 

Cannot really help with the issue, but if this is what was happening prior to the computer swap. I'd request refund on the computer that was put in as it doesn't appear to have been the problem to begin with.

 

The 05s had a nasty problem with the High pressure oil pump (hpop) snap to connect fitting (stc). You should ask the dealer if yours has been upgraded to the new part. The glow plug light, some one else might point you in the right direction. Only thing I can think of is wire chafing Good luck with it..

 

Your friend needs to get his money back and run from a dealer that changes parts for no reason.

Find a qualified dealer to work with. If the truck starts cold but will not start warm, the snap to connect fitting on the high pressure pump (known problem in 2005 models) needs replaced like brickie mentioned.

Other problems can cause the same symptoms you described, a qualified tech will follow a diagnostic chart to monitor all parameters.

 

Thanks Guys for all of the good information! I've relayed the info to my friend who sends his many thanks as well. I did a search and I also found a wealth of info on a thread titled Random "No Start" posted by Trailblazed. It sounds like the same situation that we are dealing with here. The truck is still at the dealer and come Monday, my friend is going to have some strong words with the Service Manager, especially about recouping some of that $2,000.00 that he's already spent! Yeah, poking around some of these threads I have yet to see somebody mention that it might be the computer - possible - yet highly unlikely.

Man, I've driven Fords for the last 25 years and they've been bullit proof for the most part. I don't know, maybe this is just some freak thing that is going on?

Thanks again and hopefully next week I'll be able to post what the solution was.

 

Finally, after three weeks at the dealer, my friend got his truck back. I guess they put their ace mechanic on the job and all he could find was that the batteries and cables needed replacing. I remember reading a couple of related threads that had mentioned to check the batteries and cables so, maybe that could be a common thing with these trucks. Many thanks to all of you who provided feedback and hopefully this problem can assist somebody else that may encounter the same thing. BTW, they did the repairs at no charge but, they didn't mention anything about refunding the original cost of replacing the computer...

Thanks again!

 

Mighty expensive battery cables. Maybe he could wrangle an exteded warranty out of them.