2011 F250 w/ 6.2l gasser, 250k miles, runs (when she starts!) like a dream. The last couple of months maybe 4 times, I have had it not crank at all, everything comes on just fine, radio, dash lights, etc. but it won't crank. Turned key off, back on and it started right up. Three weeks ago, hopped in, hit the starter, no crank (all lights, radio, etc. working fine). I hit the [factory] remote start button and she fired up and was just fine for the rest of the day. Two weeks ago, hopped in, turned key on, all lights, radio, etc. working fine, no crank. Saying to myself I've seen this movie before, hit the remote start button and nothing.

This is my "farm truck" and not my daily driver so I just walked away from it for two weeks. Went out today and checked the typical fuses, relays, etc. When I hit the start position I can hear a relay click over on the passenger footwell. I crawled under and tested for voltage at the main starter cable lug on the solenoid, nothing. I have no power to the main lug on the solenoid. I'm not a mechanic but over my 53 years I have turned a wrench for fun, there *should* be 12v power to the main lug on the starter solenoid regardless of key position, right? There are no fuses, relays or breakers for that cable, is there? I see the starter cable is more of a "harness" and I'm just not feeling like replacing the whole harness. I'm thinking about just running a new starter cable and abandoning the existing starter cable that is integrated into the harness. Has anyone see this before? Thoughts?!?!?

Ain't no mechanic,
KenJunior

 

Hello Ken,

Welcome to the forum!

Many years ago I have a similar problem with intermittent starting too.

I never could figure it out, so reluctantly had to let a real mechanic fix it.

They replaced the battery cables from the battery, solenoid to the starter.

They were very corroded copper, and would not carry the current needed to start it.

Maybe a good thing to check your cables for corrosion.

 

The main cable from the mega fuse to the solenoid appears fine, each end is clean and corrosion free. I'm just guessing the cable is damaged between the mega fuse and the solenoid. It turned off cold and dreary here so I haven't crawled underneath to run a new cable between the mega fuse and the solenoid but that's the only thing that makes sense.