I'd like a little feed back or suggestions that I might be over looking with a starting problem with my f150. SO here we go.
2002 F150, 4.2L V6, FI

Problem

Trun key to start engin, nothing, no clicking, or grinding. The instrument cluster looks like it dies out, but when you release the key back to the run position, everying comes back to life again. The instrument cluster is the only thing affect, dome lights, headlights all other electrical works. I know what most of you are thinking...grounding issue, but read on a little further.

Place key in run position, take screwdriver to starter solenoid. Iginition!!! this recently chaged. Now when I do the same thing..nothing, not even a turn over, my guess is I've worn out that solenoid by using my screw driver starting method so many times. Solenoid will definantely be replaced.

So this is what I've been thinking are the problems:

Grounding issue
Starter Solenoid bad
Neutral Saftey Switch bad
Anti-theft electrical bad (some where)
Sensor in steering column is bad (for gear shifter)
Tranny range sensor is bad

Bat is good
Coil is good
all other electrical seems to be ok. No problems when shifting gears (A/T tranny). One concer is that every now and then, the truck will stall at something like a red light, espically if I break to hard. The worst thing is the OBD connector is broken and is not recieving power.

Comments, thoughs, ideas.

Thanks

 

Bad battery, battery cable, or battery cable connection that supplies power to a specific set of circuits. Pretty typical symptom. Fix this issue first.

The OBD port problem is usually a blown cigar lighter fuse.

Fix the solenoid and see where you are at that point.