Hello, I have a 2000 F150, automatic, 6 cylinder truck and have been having on going starting problems with it since the summer when periodically, while garage saling, I get back in my truck to start it and all that would happen is the dash board lights would come on, no noise upon turning the key. Since that time I have replaced the starter, which sounds great when it actually starts, replace the ignition switch and bought a new key from the dealer. I have had my truck at the repair shop for them to try and fnd the problem. Unfortunately, every time they turn the key, the engine starts right up! New Years Eve I came out of the grocery store to go home, turned the key and nothing again. I tried a dozen times to start within a 10 minute period. I then called the tow truck guy, left the key in the gas cap area. My husband picked up and took me home. A couple of hours later I called the repair shop and they said the tow truck guy had no problems starting my truck. They told me to come get my truck because unless its acting up, they can't diagnose the problem.

I never have a problem starting it "cold". The problem seems to manifest itself after I've been driving some and turn off the engine to shop, come out and it won't start. I have no idea how long it takes to "cool down" so to speak, in order for it to start again.

I had these concerns in a wrong thread, so I put this here so I'd get more feedback from those who know trucks.

Someone did say in that thread that this sounds like the switch lever is not competely closing the switch that shows its in park and suggested
starting the truck in nuetral.

So what do I tell the repair shop? Is there a code number that shows up on the diagnostic equipment that refers to the park position detect switch? If so, will this only show up when the truck won't start. In others words, I have to have the truck failing in order for them to fix it.

Can this switch get "hot" upon my driving around and then "cool" off when the truck sits, as what happened with my recent tow?

How much does this Park switch cost and labor time?

This is driving me crazy as I feel I can't go anywhere because when I stop, I won't be able to start the truck and get home.

I checked with another shop and they too said that truck has to be in failure in order for them to fit it, otherwise its just an expesive goose chase as to the problem.

I plan on driving the same distance I did on New Year's eve and then to the repair shop, shutting off the engine and hopefully it will not start.
Of course, my concern there, is if they wait too long to look at it, it will have "cooled" off and will start right up for them.

Please help, I have to keep this truck for the next 2 years and can't imagine having to do this for the next 2 years.

 

Good morning, sounds like you have a frustrating nightmare on your hands. I would like you to the next time this happens, beep you horn while trying to start the truck, am trying to seperate a battery problem or starter problem. I have a 02 V6 engine, I will search the wiring diagrams for possibilities. Get back to you later.

 

I have this exact 100% same problem i don't know what's going on with my truck works for the mechanics but not for me lol tips you can do is when you turn the key but not all the way let the beeps go away then give it a shot if that fails then go to the gas tank and bang it so the gas is agitated or get in the bed and jump to get the gas moving and try to start it again or you can do the combination of the bed shacking and starting. I wish i could give more info but i still can't figure the problem. Also look at the fuel pump and fuel lines and see if all that is in proper working order.

 

I can completly understand ur frustration.
I too believe ur trouble is switch related,someone mentioned the neutral safety switch that will show up by starting in neutral.
There is also the starting solenoid which also interupts the starting sequence. It can act up when warm and not when cold but it may be as simple as the relay that activates the starting solenoid.
The starting solenoid is not expensive to replace and a good place to start with this type of problem.
I will look up the wiring diagram for ur truck to see whats in line from ur key switch to the starter.
I have seen the solenoid starter relay wiring rot off at the relay cause this problem and recitfied by finding the relay and repairing the rotted part of the conection.

Please try starting in neutral and see what it would cost to replace the solenoid as a first step.

Rick

 

This morning I went to the repair shop, told the guy behing the counter that I wanted to take my truck for a drive in the hopes that when I returned to them, the truck would be "hot" enough to cause it not to start.

Thank God it did not start when I returned. He sent a mechanic out right away to the truck, as time was of the essence...we didn't want the truck
cooling down which would result in a good start and not fixing this ongoing problem.

So hopefully they were able to get somewhere this time, instead of calling me with the familiar refrain, "hey come get your truck, because it starts up find".

My husband says it's the starter which I had put in, in November.
I will let you know what happens. Whatever it turns out to be,
I won't feel secure about it until I've driven around town numerous times without a problem.

Stay tuned.

 

My WAG: Cables to starter corroded or as was mentioned faulty DTRS.

 

Possible battery, fuel pump, or corrosion problem. Need some more detail on how its failing.

Is it cranking over but not firing or does it not crank at all?

Maintenance history? When was the fuel filter replaced last?

When it fails to start, do the other electronics in the vehicle still work?

 

Picked my truck up from the repair shop.

They replaced the nuetral safety switch for $89 plus $62 labor.

The shop manager said he took it for a drive to get it "hot" and
there was no problem starting it.

Since this problem has been going on for so long, I won't feel
like the problem is solved till a month or so goes by with no problem.

So since this summer, I've replaced a starter, ignition switch and nuetral
safety switch. Makes me wonder which problem started all the trouble that basically burned up the other two.

Thank you all for your input. It gave me real hope that I could resolve the problem.

And of course, if this does not solve the problem, you'll be hearing from me again!

F150 people are the best!

 

My 2010 F 150 problem starting. does anyone have any answers? I was getting gas got back in my truck and it would not start it took a few min. then starter kept turning over with out key on.

Help

 

With your starter remaining on with key not stuck in start position, I would verify again the key is not in the start mode. On my 02, the starter relay is located very close to the battery, the battery positive cable goes to it, it has a small wire (not sure of color) that comes from the ignition switch. Remove this wire, if starter remains on, the problem is in the relay and has to be replaced. If, the starter stops running, then the issue is in the ignition switch. Hope this is easy enough to understand, good luck.

PS, as you get more familiar on how to navigate this forum, use the new item button to get quicker responses, highjacking a previous thread sometimes doesn't work as well.