starting issue
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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starting issue
My truck has recently developed a wierd problem. I turn the key and it cranks but no start. Do it again and it does start. It has done only after it sits for a few hours. Doesnt matter if it cold or warm out. I hold the key for about 10-20 seconds and it just cranks away, let off crank agian and it fires right up. Took 3 times to get it start yesterday. It will go a few days without doing it also. 2003 with 114k. what do I do? Thanks in advance
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Florida
My truck has recently developed a wierd problem. I turn the key and it cranks but no start. Do it again and it does start. It has done only after it sits for a few hours. Doesnt matter if it cold or warm out. I hold the key for about 10-20 seconds and it just cranks away, let off crank agian and it fires right up. Took 3 times to get it start yesterday. It will go a few days without doing it also. 2003 with 114k. what do I do? Thanks in advance
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
Check PCM Relay
Look in the owners manual and you will find that relay # 302 in the PCM power relay. Swap it with the # 301 or 303 relay and see if the problem continues. What you describe is the exact same issue I recently had with my T-Bird SC. What happens is the relay contacts arc when they make and break. This produces a black residue that builds on the contacts. Over time the residue will not let the contacts make a solid connection thus either intermittent or no power to the PCM. That is the reason why sometimes it starts and sometimes it does not. With 114K on your ride I would suspect it is the PCM relay. If it is, the relays can be disassembled and the contacts cleaned with a small wire wheel or with green Scotch Brite. After cleaning be sure to check for contact pitting. If the contacts are pitted bad, probably need to replace the relay.
DSMMH
DSMMH
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thanks for the quick replys. DSMMH I checked the relays and they were all half way unplugged!!! Mabey vibrations or something, I swapped the #302 and 303 and pushed them all the way in and it started right up even quicker than it has been. Going to test for a couple of days to see if it helped.
Bowtiehtr I had the ICP and ficm replaced in march. It was surging at idle. Now it is back to doing the exact same thing! Wierd thing about it was no codes were thrown. The dealer said the ICP was masking the ficm. But now I have no warranty so is there any way to check this out myself? It has no codes on the SCT. Hell for that matter where are they located? Thanks again
Bowtiehtr I had the ICP and ficm replaced in march. It was surging at idle. Now it is back to doing the exact same thing! Wierd thing about it was no codes were thrown. The dealer said the ICP was masking the ficm. But now I have no warranty so is there any way to check this out myself? It has no codes on the SCT. Hell for that matter where are they located? Thanks again
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
My truck did this quite a bit last winter but it seems better now. Occasionally it does this but I just thought it was the HPOP leaking down when it sat for a while. My truck got a new ICP sensor in '06 so I doubt its that. Before I got new batteries I almost drained the old ones trying to start it one time, finally fired on one of the last slow cranks.
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cartmanea did the batteries help any? Mine are getting bad. They are the original two. Ive heard the old batteries can make them do some strange things.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
With the new batteries it turns over WAY faster and starts better. I really haven't had the problem with the new batteries. Now a long crank, even when really cold, is only 4-5 seconds tops. I got Interstate MTP-65 batteries, found them at a local John Deere dealership for about $90 each and I wouldn't recommend anything else. I tried a cheaper Wally World battery first, but the vent caps didn't fit the OE battery cover, the Interstates fit great.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
thanks for the quick replys. DSMMH I checked the relays and they were all half way unplugged!!! Mabey vibrations or something, I swapped the #302 and 303 and pushed them all the way in and it started right up even quicker than it has been. Going to test for a couple of days to see if it helped.
Bowtiehtr I had the ICP and ficm replaced in march. It was surging at idle. Now it is back to doing the exact same thing! Wierd thing about it was no codes were thrown. The dealer said the ICP was masking the ficm. But now I have no warranty so is there any way to check this out myself? It has no codes on the SCT. Hell for that matter where are they located? Thanks again
Bowtiehtr I had the ICP and ficm replaced in march. It was surging at idle. Now it is back to doing the exact same thing! Wierd thing about it was no codes were thrown. The dealer said the ICP was masking the ficm. But now I have no warranty so is there any way to check this out myself? It has no codes on the SCT. Hell for that matter where are they located? Thanks again
DSMMH