Any Ford Mechanics here?
#2780197
05/31/20 09:31 PM
05/31/20 09:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,937 GA
roadrunninMark
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I have a 2014 E250, small V8 which is having a non starting issue. Everything electrical works normally and when you turn the key, nothing. It has about 140k miles and is having a non start issue. I've changed the starter an battery, thinking it was the usual suspects. After some further online research, found it could be the ignition switch, ignition key cylinder, or nylon sleeves on the transmission range selector. So I replaced all these items as well. After no luck, had it towed to a mechanic. They cleaned some relay in the box in the engine compartment and it started up. This was just a few months ago. Well, it is acting up again. I am not sure which relay was "cleaned" , as they thought it is a ground issue; also said it might have something to do with a "smart box" (but didn't mess with it after it started a number of times after the relay cleaning).
Has anyone seen this issue on Fords and know what the solution is? Otherwise, I am going to be towed back to the mechanic again.
Thanks
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: GarageDodge]
#2780286
06/01/20 09:37 AM
06/01/20 09:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,937 GA
roadrunninMark
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Ill check for that relay in the fuse area. This van has the actual big relay integrated in the starter, not one on the side of the fenderwell like a lot of Fords have/had.
I don't have a security key, when I replaced the ignition cylinder the locksmith asked the same question. It ran fine was it came back from the shop the first time and this was after I already changed the lock cylinder. There isn't anything special about the key either. I don't have a check engine light on but I can check with a scanner.
Last edited by roadrunninMark; 06/01/20 09:41 AM.
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#2780303
06/01/20 11:54 AM
06/01/20 11:54 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
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Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Start at the starter and work backwards with a VOM to locate the issue... since this is a no crank problem you should have another person to hold the key in the crank position
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 06/01/20 11:56 AM.
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#2780304
06/01/20 11:55 AM
06/01/20 11:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,726 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,726
A collage of whims
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Has anyone checked the starter ?
I have a '93 Nissan Pathfinder, currently 210K on it. At around 200K, its original starter finally gave up. Miserable job w/o a lift, so had my mechanic replace it, and he uses NAPA. 1st NAPA replacement failed in a few weeks (wouldn't hot start/re-start). 2nd NAPA replacement is now failing, same deal - fine cold, but hot days or conditions, NG. Every relay, cable, ground, switch, charging component & battery is known good.
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#2780372
06/01/20 03:08 PM
06/01/20 03:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,307 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,307
north of coder
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Start at the starter and work backwards with a VOM to locate the issue... since this is a no crank problem you should have another person to hold the key in the crank position i just [FINALLY !] repaired a no-start issue, but it was on a diesel tractor. as mr. P said, start at the starter & work backwards. i did that, but for the life of me, couldn't figure out what was going on. i didn't want to shotgun new, expensive parts on it, just to still have the same problem. i THOUGHT i had found the item that was causing the problem, but i really didn't want to spend a BUNCH of bucks on it to find out i still had the problem. i was SUPER LUCKY to have a member here guide me through the convoluted maze of safety switches incorporated in this particular wiring harness, to end up at the ignition switch. it ended up being a cheap repair, and i was [as was my buddy that owned the tractor !] truly GRATEFUL for this fellow member's help ! i'm by no means suggesting your problem is a bad ignition switch, rather you need to trace the problem from the source [the starter] to where the solution lies. hope your luck is as good as mine was !
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#2780724
06/02/20 02:02 PM
06/02/20 02:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,937 GA
roadrunninMark
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Update..... I checked the starter by running a wire to the relay from the battery, the starter turns over. So I then checked out the neutral safety switch on the transmission. Just looking at it I am thinking this is part of the problem. I tried to take it off the transmission and was unable to remove the main nut that holds it onto the shaft of the transmission, so it is soaking in WD40.
I might have also broke something..while I was trying to get the nut off using a socket, the shaft turned (while it was supposed to be in PARK) and now using the gear selector in the cabin, it won't return back to PARK. The plastic end of the selector cable was broken in two, leaving a very weird angle between the end on the shaft and where the cable is held prior to exiting the sleeve". I think the pivot ends have rusted up causing it not to be able to turn, therefore breaking the plastic tube that runs over the cable to the metal end. I am hoping that a new selector cable will allow it to work properly again, so I ordered one.
I am fairly certain that since things are crusty under there that the neutral safety switch is not aligning correctly to allow it to start. I am sure I will need a new one so I have that on order as well.
Last edited by roadrunninMark; 06/02/20 02:07 PM. Reason: clean up
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#2780790
06/02/20 03:59 PM
06/02/20 03:59 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 77 Mentor, OH
doggs330
member
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member
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Mentor, OH
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If the mechanic fixed it before in the electrical distribution box, I would start back there. Since you've already cleaned the starter relay there is also the start diode in that same box to be checked. Doesn't take much corrosion on these small connections to upset current flow. When cycling the key, you should be able to hear/feel that starter relay cycling. With suspected neutral safety switch, I would attempt to start it with the shift lever in every position. I agree with MR. P on using a voltmeter/ohmmeter. A little troubleshooting would have saved you a few hundred in parts so far. If you have a meter then we can definitely go into more depth on testing.
Last edited by doggs330; 06/02/20 04:13 PM.
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Re: Any Ford Mechanics here?
[Re: doggs330]
#2781056
06/03/20 01:16 PM
06/03/20 01:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,937 GA
roadrunninMark
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OP
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Posts: 2,937
GA
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Thanks for the input, Doggs, I moved around a bunch of the relays in the distribution block. I took a look at them as well before reinstalling them in the different positions. I saw a small amount of corrosion on one and I used some sand paper to clean it up, which I put that one in at the wipers location. I did pull the bigger relay on the side of the box and it looked OK.
I've tried to start it in every gear location and still didn't get it to fire. With the shift cable now "messed up", I can get it to go from PARK to DRIVE, but cannot go back to PARK unless I get underneath and move the lever by hand. I am going to spray the nut again with some more WD40 that the shaft that goes in the transmission through the neutral safety switch. Until I get that nut off, I can't get the neutral safety switch off. I even tried to remove the plug briefly but couldn't get a good angle on it. It is pretty crusty there so I am hoping that the oil will get it to unstick.
If I can get the plug of the safety switch, once the new one arrives, I can plug that one into the connector and see if it starts. If not, then Ill go back to the relays. I do have a voltmeter. I didn't know about the neutral safety switch the first time around or I might have saw its condition plus the broken plastic end on the gear selector cable.
I will report back when I get the new parts. Thanks all and keep the ideas coming....
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