Yesterday, I got in my truck, dashboard lit up normally, I pushed the start button--nothing. Dashboard then went bonkers with the warnings and multiple money lights lit up. I then got out, locked the door, unlocked, got back in and tried starting again. Next I tried the key fob--nothing. Finally I tried the phone app, it said it could not start my truck because it was already running.

I called Ford Roadside Assistance. They sent out a flat bed tow truck. About 30 minutes I waited for the tow truck. Then I thought I'll try starting it again. BAM! It started. I felt bad for the tow truck driver, but he said he gets paid.

I guess it was caused by a computer glitch. It is at the dealer now to be looked at, but I doubt they'll find anything. The service tech even said he doubts they'll find anything.

Here is my big question for the next time. To be towed, I know the truck needs to get into neutral, even for a flat bed. The Ford User Manual states the shifter needs to be in drive first to shift it into neutral. In my case, I was unable to move the shifter out of park. What do you do to get the truck into neutral when you can't move the shifter and the truck won't start?

 

The manual talks about how to get the truck into neutral using a park release switch.

I would also make sure you didn't just get a bit ahead of yourself on starting the truck. It annoys me on mine that if I get in and press the brake and hit the start button at roughly the same time, the truck goes into accessory mode, and it lights up most of the warning lights including the battery indicator and that. Then I have to wait a second, hold down the brake and press the button again. It's just a timing issue between when it reports the brake is properly pressed and how quickly I hit start. It's 90% on me, I know that, just need to slow down. But at the same time I am pressing the brake so just be faster... stupid slow truck.

Anyway, here is the selection from the manual. Lots of goodies in the manual.

 

there is a remote manual release under the steering column.

crap..too slow

 

Thanks for the replies. I didn't know about the manual release handle under the steering column. I know it now. Maybe this was a good lesson for me.

Is there a manual release for the parking brake? I searched the user manual but I only see that if the battery is dead you need to apply a power source to release the brake.

I want to be ready the next time something like this happens.

 

I definitely would suspect a weak or bad battery. If that sounds crazy, they can recover enough to start. We're driving computers. If they don't boot up correctly due to lack of power, they wont let the truck go to work.