Start/Stop Button doesn't work
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 9
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Start/Stop Button doesn't work
I know there are numerous threads about people's opinions regarding the auto start/stop and even possible fixes. I just purchased a used 2018 Lariat. Until today (4 days of owning the truck), the auto start/stop was already turned off every time I started the vehicle. I thought this was odd because I thought you had to manually turn this off every time you restarted the vehicle. But I thought maybe I just got lucky. On the dashboard screen, it always said "operator manually disabled." Well today for the first time, I stopped at a red light and the engine cut off. I pressed the button on above the screen. Nothing. Drove until i got to my destination. Turned off the truck. Opened the door to reset everything. Turned the truck back on. Still on. Button did not work to turn off. I finally got home and gave it a few minutes after turning off the truck. Now I am back to the auto start/stop being already turned off every time I start the vehicle. Again, the button doesn't work. It doesn't work to turn the feature on or off. I checked for the "eliminator" and did not see anything plugged in below the steering wheel. Any other suggestions?
There are different versions of the autostop eliminator - you may have the version that connects in the wiring harness at the switch, at least that would be my guess. You will have to access the rear of the switch to see if you have it there
But is is weird that the button doesn't respond at all... even with the eliminator it should work according to the last setting.... if you turn it off it stays off... if you turn it on , it stays on.
But is is weird that the button doesn't respond at all... even with the eliminator it should work according to the last setting.... if you turn it off it stays off... if you turn it on , it stays on.
Last edited by Firerunner; Dec 15, 2020 at 09:51 PM.
Could also be that the previous owner made changes with FORScan:
From another thread on the same subject:
From another thread on the same subject:
Yeah, sorry, it's probably my fault considering it's a used 2018. A few years ago I explained to the internet how to permanently disable Auto Stop Start with a Windows laptop and a USB cable on these F150's. I'd check these settings with ForScan since 50% of F150 owners hate Auto S/S as much as I do and disable it on day one.
ForScan is free software and I recommend you buy an OBD Link EX to use it. It will pay for itself many times over in the long run.
If these settings check out okay, someone probably physically opened the FCIM circuit which causes the the same result and PID's effectively blocking the system from engaging every time.
Grab ForScan (free utility) or find someone with it or IDS and check this:
BCM 726-48-02: x1xx xxxx xxxx
FCIM 7A7-01-01: xxxx x1xx xxxx
IPC: 720-02-02: xxxx Fxxx
Also, with ForScan you can monitor switches in real time to make sure the circuits are okay and you can monitor all the PID's for Auto S/S in real time to narrow down a particular fault if one exists. Its very powerful open software all of us should have.
If you have no idea what any of this means, print this out, take it to a Ford service centre and they can easily check it for you 1 flat rate hour or less.
ForScan is free software and I recommend you buy an OBD Link EX to use it. It will pay for itself many times over in the long run.
If these settings check out okay, someone probably physically opened the FCIM circuit which causes the the same result and PID's effectively blocking the system from engaging every time.
Grab ForScan (free utility) or find someone with it or IDS and check this:
BCM 726-48-02: x1xx xxxx xxxx
FCIM 7A7-01-01: xxxx x1xx xxxx
IPC: 720-02-02: xxxx Fxxx
Also, with ForScan you can monitor switches in real time to make sure the circuits are okay and you can monitor all the PID's for Auto S/S in real time to narrow down a particular fault if one exists. Its very powerful open software all of us should have.
If you have no idea what any of this means, print this out, take it to a Ford service centre and they can easily check it for you 1 flat rate hour or less.
5 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 496
Likes: 208
From: Ellis County TEXAS
Here is a far reach, and I do me FAR Reaching Guess. There is a wire at the battery terminal for the Battery Monitor System, if pulled it will stop the proper function of the Stop/Start function. Could it be that this connection is loose thus causing the issue?
But then it could also be a sign of a battery reaching the end of its working life.
But then it could also be a sign of a battery reaching the end of its working life.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies. I checked the battery and did not see anything that looked disconnected. Same with under the steering wheel by the floorboard. I don't feel comfortable ripping off the dash to get behind the button. I am just going to take it to the dealership. I'm under 3 year 36k miles.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 552
Likes: 362
From: Warsaw, MO
The previous owner may have installed the Western Diesel module. It plugs into the back of the switch and defaults to off only. Was the first mod to my '20 3.0 Power Stroke. If you have the 40/20/40 seat it's easy to get to, not so easy with the center console.