Need help with a non-start issue - E99 F250 7.3 Manual

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 2, 2017 | 02:25 PM

Cyclonus

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

Need help with a non-start issue - E99 F250 7.3 Manual

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site and was hoping to find some insight here. I have a Early 99 7.3 ZF6 transmission that was having trouble starting over the last six months and now won't start at all. here is a description of everything:

Truck Description

Early '99 Ford F250 Regular Cab ZF6 Transmission

Bought the truck a year ago with ~47K miles, it now has ~53K miles. It's not my daily driver as I use it mostly to be a work truck.

The truck is completely stock, the only things I have done is I put two brand new AGM batteries when I first bought it and have done two oil changes and a fuel filter change.

Symptoms:

I've noticed over the last 6 months or so, the truck has trouble starting. Sometimes it will crank and it sounds like teh battery is dying and it eventually starts.

The last time i drove the truck, I drove it one way for 100 miles (mostly highway). I turned the truck off and tried to turn it back on, it wouldn't start right away but eventually got it started again.

Since I haven't been driving it much, I try and start it up once every 2-3 days and let it run for a while. usually when i do this I get that battery dying type of noise and it starts after the 2nd or 3rd try.

Now when i go to start it, all I hear is a single click with the ABS light on.

The battery wire terminals aren't in the best shape, they do have some corrosion but it's been that way since i bought it.

I do notice that when i turn the key to the second ignition position (Wait to start) I hear the typical 7 beep tones. After the 7 beep tones, there is usually another single tone and then Wait to start light goes off. ** I no longer hear this single tone -- is this the missing clue? Does the lack of that final tone indicate anything? **

Diagnosis (only real basic stuff so far)

cleaned the battery terminals and the battery terminals end on the wires
measured voltage on each battery, both are at 12.34-35 Volts
Tested the voltage on the passenger battery terminal to the nearby ground on the body (voltage is the same)
not sure where the ground terminates on the driver's side battery (??) so haven't tested that yet.
Disconnected the passenger battery, and attempted to start it. Still get the single click
When i disconnect the ignition wire for the solenoid near the passenger battery, I don't hear any click

Basically I'm looking for help on where to start troubleshooting, how to root cause. I'm happy to replace the starter and/or solenoid if those are the most likely causes. I'd also like to eliminate that it's the clutch safety switch if possible.

Any help/advice would be immensely appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Cyc.

Jul 2, 2017 | 09:01 PM

F350-6

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 26,966

Likes: 50

From: Texas

Get someone to hold the meter on the batteries while you crank the truck to see how much the draw down is. If voltage is dropping too low, you could have a problem.

But to me, it kinda sounds like you've got a bad starter.

Jul 2, 2017 | 09:05 PM

Cyclonus

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by F350-6

Ok i don't have anyone to help me do that, but I can set up my phone on a tripod and film it.. The truck doesn't crank though I just get the single click, will i see any type of voltage drop if i just get a single click?

Jul 2, 2017 | 09:15 PM

SaintITC

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,614

Likes: 22

From: Springfield, PA

You can measure your voltage from the cigarette lighter in the cab while cranking, don't have to do it from the battery terminals. Find an old cigarette charger cord from something and cut the wires so you can clip the voltmeter to them.

The next recommendation you'll get online here is to get an OBD-II adapter (or similar) and get either Torque or Forscan to get full diagnostics from the sensors Ford was kind enough to install on our trucks. It will be the best investment you make for your truck - and any other car you own actually.

And peruse the Tech links page here to get lots of info concerning anything you'll ever need to know. And welcome to FTE!!

Jul 3, 2017 | 06:59 PM

F350-6

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 26,966

Likes: 50

From: Texas

If you're measuring over 12 volts on both batteries when off and you just get a click, try banging on the starter with a hammer a few times then starting. I you still get a click, hold the key to the start position for 10 seconds before you release it. Then feel the battery cables and starter to see what's hot.

If a cable is hot, especially a ground cable, remove both ends of said cable and clean the cable end and attachment point. If the hot wire going to the solenoid or to the starter is all that's hot, feel the fender mounted relay. Perhaps you've just got a worn relay. You can jump the relay with a pair of pliers (turn key to on, not start, and touch the two big posts with the pliers). If the starter starts spinning, change the relay. If not, it still sounds like the starter.

You can pull the starter and have it tested before you spend the money on one.

Jul 3, 2017 | 07:57 PM

brandon_oma#692

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 1,787

Likes: 31

From: Northern Illinois

I thought my batteries were going out but it happend to be the starter. Stopped for fuel on the way to a motocross race and it just barely got started. Tried to start and go home. Jumper cables from another truck right to the starter and nothing. Banged starter and it tried once. Got a pull from an ambulance to get it started to drive home. You could try having someone pull you and see if it pops right off. No guarantee it is the starter then but points to starter, batteries, and connections which you already looked into.

I replaced with one from a newer truck I think. It was shorter and offset. I was amazed how fast it spins over now.

Jul 8, 2017 | 09:48 PM

pvdiag

Tuned

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 428

Likes: 74

From: Aroostook County, Maine

Every once in awhile my fan won't shut off, even if the climate control is off. Never noticed it at first and was chasing and replacing things left and right. One night when it was real still out I heard a sound coming from my truck - the fan running on low. Once I got that squared away, I haven't had "no start" problems since.