Hey guys,

I have a 05 5.4L with 140,000km (87000 miles)

I have been having intermittent starting issues.

With the truck stone cold it fires up great.
If I drive it up to operating temp and shut it off, and start it within 15 minutes starts fine.

The problem only seems to occur when I have it at operating temp and let it cool for an hour or so. Where the engine isn't hot but also not stone cold.

The engine has to crank for a long time. I'll let it crank for 10-15 seconds, doesn't fire. Try it again and sometimes it fires on the 2nd try. If not it usually is good to go on the 3rd.

Let it cool overnight fires up great.

Also not sure if its related or not as it doesn't seem to matter what temp the engine is. At random times when I try to start it, it will make the sound if you tried to start an already running engine. Can be cold, can be hot.

Anyone have any ideas what I should look at?

Not sure how old the starter is. Its not an oem one. Looks like its from napa, but the case looks really clean.

Thanks for your time

 

I have the same problem on my 05 5.4. It's weird and i really have no clue as to what it is...But maybe someone else will!

 

Has it ever left you stranded? Does it always start even if it takes a few tries?

 

Having the same issues recently with my 06 4.6l STX. Checked everything I can think of and all checks out fine. Mine left me stranded once but I was in a rush and didn't have the time to screw with it. Usually like you said by the 2nd or 3rd time it will start.

 

That's weird. It seems like a really common issue but no one has any ideas to fix it.

Anyone else?

 

I know some of these newer f150s can have crazy problems like this from weak batteries. If the battery drops just barely low when you hit the starter, it can sometimes throw the computer for a loop. The problem happening only when the engine is midtemp could possibly just be coincidence. Who knows?

 

Who knows is right. Sounds like it can be 101 things wrong and every f150 can have a different problem with the same symptoms.

My battery was new in April. I'll try and see what the voltage is doing while I start it.

 

I've had 2 05's, one with 4.6 and one with 5.4, both did it. Both of mine seem to do it when I've had to do a bunch of short quick trips where I've re-started the truck several times in a short amount of time. Mine have always started on the second crank though and never left me stranded

 

I have had the same issue. 06 5.4. No one seems to know what causes it or how to fix it. I just recently had it in to be looked at and they ended up replacing the flywheel because a bunch of teeth had broken off. For good measure they also put on a new starter. The high pitch squeal has disappeared when starting but the intermittent no start is still happening. Usually occurs after a few short trips with staring and stopping but occasionally happens after sitting for a night or 2. Usually happens at least twice a week.

Sent from my iPod touch using F150 Forum

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'll just keep driving the truck until it gets worse. No sense throwing money at random parts hoping to fix a problem.

Thanks again!