So this has happened to me 3 times in the past week. I jump in the truck, put my foot on the brake, push the start button. My dash will come alive, radio, etc. but the truck doesn't start. The green light on the push button start blinks rapidly. Put my foot in the brake and push the button again, starts right up.

I'm wondering if it's something to do with the battery in my fob (hoping it's that simple). I have replacement batteries on order, due here tomorrow. I can't for the life of me recall if this happens after a short stop (most recently when I turned off the truck to run into the cleaners) or if it also happens on a cold soak.

Wondering if anybody else encountered this?

 

I’ve never encountered that.

It could the fob battery, but couldn’t it also be the brake switch? Both seem odd that it works fine after the second try. Maybe your brake switch just needs time to wake up? Odd one.

 

Not trying to insult you, but could it be you’re simply pushing the button too quickly after you push the brake? Sounds silly, but I’ve experienced this a couple times and it’s when I get in a bit of a hurry. A quick delay after pushing the pedal and haven’t had the issue since. Just a thought…

 

Not insulted - now I’m going to obsess over this so I’ll be particular about starting it for awhile.

 

Yeah, almost guarantee it's button too quick. I say that is someone that has done it many, many times, and it drives me crazy. Next time it happens, look in the instrument cluster for a flashing battery light. I have the Lariat dash, but I assume the XLT will have it as well. It usually only happens when I pick the kids up from school, because we have to park in a neighborhood side street and with all the other parents driving by, I am always in a dash to get in the truck. I think it's just that the truck hasn't fully registered the key is in the truck, or the brake isn't pushed to its satisfaction. If I hit the button again, it starts right up as you noted.

I think it's just what we call in the computer world (and I imagine other areas) a "race condition", a number of things that have to fall into place in a certain order for an outcome, and if one of those items gets in ahead, even by a few milliseconds, it can throw off the whole thing.

 

[QUOTE=

I think it's just what we call in the computer world (and I imagine other areas) a "race condition", a number of things that have to fall into place in a certain order for an outcome, and if one of those items gets in ahead, even by a few milliseconds, it can throw off the whole thing.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this insight ‘race condition’….it explains a lot in my line. We usually just say ‘slow the f… down.’ Well that and ‘debounce error’ which actually is related to ‘race condition’

Anyway, I agree with the assessment that it is a timing error between brake switch and start switch actuation.

It has not happened in my F150 but happens regularly with me in my wife’s car…

 

It happens on my 21 as well. I think it comes down to waiting 0.5s longer to press the start button after pressing the brake pedal.

 

Glad to know I’m not the only one ! I guess I bought the batteries for nothing but I’m sure I’ll need them eventually.

 

I’ve gotten into the habit of starting remotely so the AC has a chance to kick in….

 

This ^^^^^.