Excursion won't start
 

first time it acted up truck started after it cooled down , and several other times I had the same outcome, last week it left me stranded and now it won't start at all, Not getting any fuel

You will have to give us more info if you want any of us to try to help.
what year?
what engine?
any previous problems?
serviced lately?

Like baracade posted, we need a lot more info.

Diesel or gas?

If diesel, 7.3 or 6.0? If gas, 5.4 or 6.8?

Any mods? Completely stock? Any work done to it recently?

More specifics on when it happens, like were you towing (and if so, how heavy, conditions, etc), was it raining, etc.

2004 excursion gas v10 6.8

no problems until end of May ran to walmart about 5 miles away. Got back in to go home and wouldn't start. after about 1/2 hour of trying to figure out problem, it started and went home.

about two weeks later went on vacation. Drove to Norfolk virginia from Pa and parked it. Got off our cruise and drove home. Shut the vehicle off to use keys to get our mail and when i tried to start it it would only crank. Fuel pump was working but no go. Got family to tow to the house and a couple hours later went out to try it and it fired right up.

Ran great all summer no problems.

Last month took a road trip about 1 hour 15 minutes from home. Stopped to eat. Went out to leave and it wouldn't crank over. Unhooked the battery to reset computer. Didn't help. went and put more gas in tank. Only had 1/4 tank and almost filled it up. After 1 1/2-2 hours it finally started.

Also, when it tries to start all the gauges max out then go back to zero.

The final blow came this past weekend. Went camping and unhooked the camper, and shut it off. Went to leave and wouldn't start. Waited a few hours. No go. Next morning still nothing. Got towed home. And that was Saturday. Still won't turn over 5 days later.

Replaced Started relay today and still nothing. only other problem it has ever had, was the light sensor in the driver's side door sticks and sometimes the lights stay on and drain the battery.

Any help please!

Strange...All the other times when you turned the key, did the starter work or was it just dead. What's got me puzzled is the one time it cranked but won't turn over.

I was about to think it may be a neutral safety switch sticking and had to let it cool down so it popped back to position so you could start it?

So the problem is only related to the starter not cranking?

Perry

So, when you try to start it, it acts like the battery is dead (just clicks), or does it act like it's out of gas?

Stewart

Your problem is the battery. Replace it and your problems will go away.

The "give away" is when you try and start it and the you get the gauge sweep.

Bad batteries do weird things. Just replace it.

also have the alternator checked, sometimes it has a problem too which causes the battery to fail as well.

It always tries to start, it cranks but won't turn over. It's acting like it's not getting gas, but the fuel pump is working. That's why i'm, thinking electrical.

the first time back in May the reset button on the passenger side was up. i hit it, but it was awhile before it started. so I'm thinking that was a coincidence, because I keep checking it but haven't needed to hit that since.

Your posts are confusing. I guess I always thought that "turn over" was the same as cranking.

Now I'm leaning to something else.

Are you 100% that you have proper fuel pressure at the fuel rail? Meaning: are you 100% sure that the fuel pump is working properly?

It could be something with the antitheft system but since we don't get much detail other than it won't turn over it is hard to help him. We need the truck wisperer where is he.

Try removing one of the coil on plug (COP) units and attach and old spark plug to it and make sure it is grounded. Leave the connector on the COP and make sure the spark plug body is touching metal. Have someone crank it and see if you get spark. If the starter will not turn the engine over then probably it is the battery but since you said it is cranking (engine rotating) then it is not the battery. Check your fuses there is one that powers the coils and fuel injectors. If it is blown it will crank (engine rotating) but not start.

Perry

The funny thing is that it starts after it cools down for an hour or so. If the fuse is blown, then it would not start at all. Check the fuses anyway. Replace the battery and try again.

Have you changed the fuel filter?

"Cranks" and "turns over" are the same thing.

Does it crank? but just not run?

Turn the key on to the farthest position without cranking it over. Leave it there for a second or two, then turn it off. Do this 5 times and then try to start it.

This will raise the fuel pressure in the fuel rail, sounds like you have a fuel delivery problem.

You could also clean the leads to your battery if the voltage is causing problems.

Sears will check the charging system/battery for free.

my 2005 v-10 4wd did that last week, my mechanic said a vacuum line came loose , fixed problem in like 5 minutes.

today my ac compressor will not come on.....

+1 on that...

On the 2002 and up trucks that's a dead give away that the battery needs to be replaced. Start there, then work your way back.

Sounds like the starter to me... sounds like a dead spot in the starter, I had that happen to me before...... starter gets hot and has problems. Had that happen on military vehicles too.... I would replace the starter if it was my truck.... good luck.

Was this problem solved?

I'm having the same or a very similar issue where my Excursion (6.8) is trying to start but won't.

The starter is cranking, battery is strong but the engine won't start.

Seems like it's starved for fuel, but at the same time it also feels like the engine may be flooded (but I doubt that is even possible with fuel injection).

I started noticing this about 2 years ago, but usually if I let it sit for 15 minutes or so it would finally start.

Now it won't start at all despite letting it crank and crank.

While you're cranking, step on the gas, if it starts then your problem is the IAC or Idle Air Control Valve.

I've tried that quite a few times - still won't start.

All it does is slightly (and I mean barely) change the sound of the engine trying to start.

At one point I was thinking the fuel filter needs to be replaced - I've never replaced it and I've owned it for 6 or more years. It's a 2001.

Ok - got it started.

1st I tried 'priming' the engine by turning the key (and holding for 5 seconds or so) as far as I could w/o actually engaging the starter - I did this 6 times.

Tried to start it - no go.

Then I immediately tried to start it by pressing the gas pedal down about 1 inch or so....the engine coughed a little then started right up.

I think you need to put a fuel pressure Gage on it and see if it has enough pressure
I think we are all confused what's going on
It will turn over all the time but not start right?
That's where I would start and get fuel filters the fuel we get now days is bad to say the least

I am having a similar problem but as of now I can start it. It almost left me stranded. When the engine is warm it wont always start but when we let it sit a a while it starts.But only sometimes it wil ldo this. Is it the fuel pump. I did just change the filter over the summer and only thing I did recently was add some seafoam to the tank. PLEASE HELP

My Excursion won't start at all now (cranks but won't start).

I checked all fuses and relays related to the fuel pump.

Here is what I would suggest when the excursion won't start: have someone turn the ignition key as far as it will go (in the ignition) without actually cranking the engine. While that is happening if your near the rear of the Excursion you should hear the fuel pump engage for a second or two.

If you don't hear the fuel pump start/engage, I would check the fuses and relays related to the fuel pump - that info is in your manual or the online manual. Also, check the fuel pump cutoff switch - info on that is also in the manual.

If all of that checks out, you may need a new fuel pump. I got a quote for $650 to replace the fuel pump, the fuel pump assembly at my local parts store is right around $200.

As I'm sure you know normally the fuel tank has to be dropped (to replace fuel pump) which is out of my league to do it myself. I thought about cutting a hole in the floor, but there are issues with that as well.

I have read some posts that had the same issue and they replaced the pump and many fuel related items and still no luck. I have heard it may be a sensor, cat converter being clogged causing to much back pressure, or the dreaded electrical gremmlin, bad ground. I use my x for towing so I need a bullet proof vehicle. I hope we can figure this out.

I use my X for towing also and that's about it. Most of time it's just sitting in the driveway, which I thought indirectly might be part of the problem - just lack of use.

BTW, I started having this problem (as you describe) about 2 years ago, but normally if I let it sit for a few minutes it would eventually start.

Then back in October I was stranded at a gas station for about a 1/2 hour before it finally started. I didn't have any other problems that weekend, but then shortly thereafter the problem returned.

As mentioned, now I can't get it to start at all - unless I spray starting fluid into the air intake - then it will start for about 2-3 seconds. As mentioned I went through and checked all the relevant fuses and relays last weekend.

At this point I'm going to have it towed to a repair shop.

Dropping the tank is actually pretty easily accomplished and very intuitive.

Stewart

Symptoms of a failing fuel pump:


Occasionally, a fuel pump will warn you that it needs to be replaced. It will overheat and stop working for 20 minutes or so. If you let the car sit for a half hour (more or less), it will start again, as the fuel pump cools off and begins working again. If you encounter this symptom, have the fuel system diagnosed to be sure it is the fuel pump and not the relay or wiring causing the problem, and have the offending part replaced.

Pricing fuel pumps at Autozone:

$203 with federal emissions

$173 with California emissions


My understanding is that the California version contains a vapor pressure sensor, not sure why that would make it $30 cheaper.

Both are complete assemblies and include the strainer.

keep us posted and let us know what the problem is

Fuel pump replaced, problem solved.

Great that you solved the problem, thanks for posting the cure

Hello. Did jh818 ever solve his problem?

I never had the problem. Only provided suggestions.

Cam or crank position sensor. If it happens close enough to a hose, wet down your sensor and see if it starts. I don't remember were the sensor is.

Oops, didn't realize how old the thread was.:-roll

2002 Ford Excursion wont start
 

This is a very typical problem with these trucks. The excursion is equipped with a passive anti theft system(pats). This unit stores codes even when the battery is disconnected for prolonged periods of time. This system disables the fuel delivery system as well as the ignition module. To fix this issue you need a obd2 scanner with (pats) ability and clear these codes from the (Pats) system. Things I would try is clear the codes and reprogram the ORIGINAL KEYS, You must have two keys to program more the instructions can be found online. If your turck is equipped with keyless entry make sure that when you press the unlock button the drivers door unlocks all the way, when you press the unlock button twice it should unlock all the doors again make sure the locks are coming up all the way if they are sticking when you attempt to enter the pats will disable the truck.
Also inside the ignition cylinder is a transponder ring that recieves the signal from the key if this ring is loose or malfunctions it can activate the pats. Things to look for are...is the theft light blinking rapidly, is there a clicking behind the dash where the headlight switch is.

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I am sending reps on a fantastic "first" post to a 4-1/2 year old thread. :-X22

I know this tread is old, but I have been searching through everything looking for a fix to my Excursion suddenly not starting, here was my fix:

It was my key!

I just spent my entire Memorial Weekend Friday troubleshooting why my 2001 6.8L Limited Excursion will suddenly not start! It would only crank, like it was out of gas. Battery is strong.

Two years ago I had to replace the fuel pump and it's acting that way again!

I have tried listening for the fuel pump while turning the ignition on but only hear a slight mechanical "mmmm relentt" sound that lasts maybe .5 of a second.

I bit the bullet, dropped the tank and replaced the fuel filter inside the gas tank BY MYSELF (quite proud of that) but very frustrating to get it all back together 5 hours later and STILL NOTHING!!

I couple of years ago, we had Lowes cut us a chipped key. It does not get used often but I was using it today when I tired to pull my car out of the garage.

Now, I can sit in the car, the Lowes key will crank, but not fire and the original key will start it every time!

I hope your fix is as easy! This car has 160,000 and runs like a champ :D

I needed to spread the good news.

You should be, that's not an easy job to do by yourself.

Glad you found your problem and welcome to FTE!

Stewart