F250 Intermittent Start. Help Please
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
F250 Intermittent Start. Help Please
Hey all, new to the site and had a question...
I have a '02 F250 CC SB with the 5.4L
Every so often it doesnt want to start, I turn the key and nothing happens, nothing, no click or anything, guages and lights/radio will turn on and not go dim when I try again...
Here is the catch though, every time this happens I grab my battery charger and put it on the truck for no longer then 5 minutes ( I could seriously set my watch by how long this takes) and it fires right up no questions asked.
Only time it happens is in the morning when I go to work, so basically its been sitting for 12 hours or so, during the day its fine...
Usually happens when it is colder out, like 5 to 10 degrees or colder, but usually starts right up when its a little warmer, although, its been about 5 outside for the last few days and its fired right up everytime.
Battery is brand new Interstate about 2 weeks old....
So i've heard it could be the battery cables bad or the ground cable is bad/rusty, celinoid, alternator or ignition switch???
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I live 75 miles away from the closest shop (disadvantage of living in AK) so its not that easy for me to run back and forth to the parts store/repair shop....
Any help/thoughts would be appreciated!!
Thanks,
I have a '02 F250 CC SB with the 5.4L
Every so often it doesnt want to start, I turn the key and nothing happens, nothing, no click or anything, guages and lights/radio will turn on and not go dim when I try again...
Here is the catch though, every time this happens I grab my battery charger and put it on the truck for no longer then 5 minutes ( I could seriously set my watch by how long this takes) and it fires right up no questions asked.
Only time it happens is in the morning when I go to work, so basically its been sitting for 12 hours or so, during the day its fine...
Usually happens when it is colder out, like 5 to 10 degrees or colder, but usually starts right up when its a little warmer, although, its been about 5 outside for the last few days and its fired right up everytime.
Battery is brand new Interstate about 2 weeks old....
So i've heard it could be the battery cables bad or the ground cable is bad/rusty, celinoid, alternator or ignition switch???
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I live 75 miles away from the closest shop (disadvantage of living in AK) so its not that easy for me to run back and forth to the parts store/repair shop....
Any help/thoughts would be appreciated!!
Thanks,
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Try cleaning the positive and negtive battery connections. Connect everything back up and make sure that the connections are properly tightened.
Follow the battery negative terminal cable to where it connects to the engine and make sure that connection is clean and tight. Also inspect the cable to make sure that it is not damaged or corroded.
Do the same with the positive battery cable.
If you have a voltmeter, read the battery voltage with the engine off. You should have 12.6 volts or so if the battery is fully charged. Take a second reading while turning the engine over. If the voltage drops significantly, the battery could need replacing.
Take a voltage reading with the engine running. If the alternator is doing it's job you should see 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
From your description, this sounds like a poor battery connection or battery cable connection problem. Check the easy (and inexpensive) stuff first!
Lou Braun
Follow the battery negative terminal cable to where it connects to the engine and make sure that connection is clean and tight. Also inspect the cable to make sure that it is not damaged or corroded.
Do the same with the positive battery cable.
If you have a voltmeter, read the battery voltage with the engine off. You should have 12.6 volts or so if the battery is fully charged. Take a second reading while turning the engine over. If the voltage drops significantly, the battery could need replacing.
Take a voltage reading with the engine running. If the alternator is doing it's job you should see 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
From your description, this sounds like a poor battery connection or battery cable connection problem. Check the easy (and inexpensive) stuff first!
Lou Braun
