2018 F150 FX4 trouble starting after stopping for gas while towing

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07-27-2021, 11:39 AM

#11

TomBa

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Quote:

Originally Posted by somfas

I never found a fix for this. It appears to be a flaw with the trucks. I think it is heat related due to the strain of towing. I can tow my boat fine. I can tow my camper fine, for a 20 minute trip. I don't know where the cutoff is, but I know if I tow for over an hour or so, it won't start back up right away and its not a voltage issue. I just leave it running all the time now while towing. Usually its not too much of an issue. But I don't like having to do that.

It definitely is frustrating. By any chance did you have Ford install the brake controller? Does your trailer or boat have trailer brakes? I know they had issues when they first came out with the brake controller. I wonder if this has anything to do with it.

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07-27-2021, 02:10 PM

#12

somfas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TomBa

I did not have them install anything. My trailer has electric brakes, my boat is small enough the trailer does not have brakes.

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01-26-2022, 01:10 PM

#13

Dhock77

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I had the same issue with my 2018 Ford F-150 and did some research. It ended up being bad starters that Ford sent out on some of the F150s that year. I had mine replaced and haven’t had issues since.

Last edited by Dhock77; 01-26-2022 at 01:13 PM.

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03-04-2022, 02:47 PM

#14

emiliepresley

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Truck not starting after towing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhock77

how did you come to the conclusion that it was the starter? And how is that related to pulling a trailer? What is wrong with the starter that would cause this problem?

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03-05-2022, 12:39 AM

#15

Flamingtaco

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Takes only a second to put a multimeter on the starter signal wire and have someone bump the starter to see if 12v hits it. If yes, pop the cap and meter the + starter wire. If it's good, bad starter/relay.

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03-06-2022, 11:04 AM

#16

rhicks20

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhock77

I just had mine replaced by Ford also. 80K miles. It was doing the same thing. Start fine...drive and kill it and try to fire it back up after 10 min or so and no crank.

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03-06-2022, 11:06 AM

#17

rhicks20

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Quote:

Originally Posted by emiliepresley

how did you come to the conclusion that it was the starter? And how is that related to pulling a trailer? What is wrong with the starter that would cause this problem?

There was a code in the PCM. No engine light but there was a starter malfunction code. Starter performance or something like that.

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04-12-2022, 11:01 AM

#18

CLIA25

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rhicks20

I just had mine replaced by Ford also. 80K miles. It was doing the same thing. Start fine...drive and kill it and try to fire it back up after 10 min or so and no crank.

It happened to me for a second time after towing a travel trailer for over an hour. The truck started about 30 minutes... after cooling down. May I asked what did the dealer charged you for the replacement? Trying to see if it's worth saving a few bucks by doing it myself. Thanks.