Won't start after short drive (14 mi.)

[Jolly Roger]

So here the story,
I go for a short drive them come home and park.
When I go to restart the car it won't start (not even a click from the starter) just nothing.
Fast flashing from the PATS light on the dash when key is turned to the on position but only sometimes.
Been to the stealership 3 times (pockets now on empty) to have the keys, PATS transmitter, and PCM replaced with no satisfaction.
Problem still exists.
Problem has been ongoing for the past 5 or 6 weeks.
Anyone else had this problem and if so what was your fix?
Thanks in advance.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Have you tried starting it in Neutral for the heck of it?

[Turbov6Bryan]

I'd ask dealer for money back since they threw a bunch of parts at it and didn't fix it

Might verify if PCM is getting voltage

Make sure all wires are good inside the fuse box under the hood, then check to see if you have a broken wire from fuse panel up to harness going into car below master cylinder

Common for the harness to break around bumper area

[fastblackmerc]

Check all the cables from the battery for clean, tight connections. Have you had the battery and starter tested? Most FLAPS will do it for you for free.

Remove all the relays, circuit breakers and fuses from the battery junction box (under the hood and behind the battery). Clean the contacts of the relays and make sure your getting good contact in the junction box.

[1Marauder]

Do all above...

Do you have headlights? Brake lights?? Just no start?


Turn key and listen for a soft muffled "click." Have to listen hard.

Had your issues, and it ended up being an $18.00 relay/fuse in same box mentioned above.

I was "HOT" for three weeks about it until I calmed down and read and reread, and then did all of the suggestions in the response threads from guys above. When I get home I will look up the fuse/plug/switch for you.

On plane now--searching is slow--but you can search my threads--I think FastBlackMerc above helped save me last time.

[fastblackmerc]

Do all above...

Do you have headlights? Brake lights?? Just no start?


Turn key and listen for a soft muffled "click." Have to listen hard.

Had your issues, and it ended up being an $18.00 relay/fuse in same box mentioned above.

I was "HOT" for three weeks about it until I calmed down and read and reread, and then did all of the suggestions in the response threads from guys above. When I get home I will look up the fuse/plug/switch for you.

On plane now--searching is slow--but you can search my threads--I think FastBlackMerc above helped save me last time.

# 302 Starter relay - swap it with #304.

I replaced ALL the relays in the junction box. There is a finite amount of times that they will work (cycle on & off). With the amount of miles on these cars I bet most of them are reaching the end of their life.

If any one needs relays I can get them them for you for much less than $18.00 each.

[1Marauder]

Found it...

From FastBlackMerc--who was my hero.... Here was my solution:

First off, thank you all of you for assistance. I did do everything I could get to, and almost everything you suggested first thing this AM. I was on the road all week and flew home last night, so this was as fast as I could get to it.

Great team giving great advice. Following-up, or as the great Paul Harvey used to say, "The RRRRest of the story!"

I must be honest--this morning with sleep in my eyes and only on my second cup of coffee -- I cussed the car out, and told it (truthfully) that if it didnt want to start--it didn't really want me as its owner.

I then switched out/exchanged the starter relay from 302 to 304 (thank you FastBleckMerc), and Bam(!) it started with ease on the first turn!

I backed it out, let it warm up for 10 minutes, put Stabil in tank, drove and filled it with gas (never turned it off), drove it like a wildman for an hour, stopped at local Ford Dealer and bought a new relay (letting it idle the whole time), made an appointment to have the starter checked, and drove it back to storage driveway (again, letting it idle). I then tapped (maybe a little more forceful than a tap) on the Starter six or seven times, and pulled it back into the tight fit storage.

Turned it off. Replaced /switched out relays again, pulled 304, put 302 back into 304, and the new relay in 302... And it started right up. The sound and tone of starter engaging was much "higher toned" and "lighter sounding" and "easier" than I ever recalled it being, so I started the cold dormant Silver sitting right next to it to compare--and they sounded the exactly the same."


Try switching out relay between 302 and 304... First. Make sure they are clean as above.

I also replaced the safety brake start relay behind the brake peddle, and my back still hurts (HAHAHA).

[Jolly Roger]

Have you tried starting it in Neutral for the heck of it?

Yeah,
first thing was to go to neutral to eliminate the neutral switch as a possible culprit.

[Jolly Roger]

I'd ask dealer for money back since they threw a bunch of parts at it and didn't fix it

Might verify if PCM is getting voltage

Make sure all wires are good inside the fuse box under the hood, then check to see if you have a broken wire from fuse panel up to harness going into car below master cylinder

Common for the harness to break around bumper area

Thanks,
I'll bring that to there attention.

[Jolly Roger]

Check all the cables from the battery for clean, tight connections. Have you had the battery and starter tested? Most FLAPS will do it for you for free.

Remove all the relays, circuit breakers and fuses from the battery junction box (under the hood and behind the battery). Clean the contacts of the relays and make sure your getting good contact in the junction box.

I'm supposed to take it back to the stealership Monday.
I'll make sure to check those things over the weekend and test drive and see if it cures the problem.
Thanks FBM.

[justbob]

If you have a tune, have your tuner disable PATS. Yes, it's that easy.


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

[Jolly Roger]

Do all above...

Do you have headlights? Brake lights?? Just no start?


Turn key and listen for a soft muffled "click." Have to listen hard.

Had your issues, and it ended up being an $18.00 relay/fuse in same box mentioned above.

I was "HOT" for three weeks about it until I calmed down and read and reread, and then did all of the suggestions in the response threads from guys above. When I get home I will look up the fuse/plug/switch for you.

On plane now--searching is slow--but you can search my threads--I think FastBlackMerc above helped save me last time.

I gonna tackle that fuse box.
Thanks 1M.

[Jolly Roger]

# 302 Starter relay - swap it with #304.

I replaced ALL the relays in the junction box. There is a finite amount of times that they will work (cycle on & off). With the amount of miles on these cars I bet most of them are reaching the end of their life.

If any one needs relays I can get them them for you for much less than $18.00 each.

Car has 31,000 mi. on the but your fuse box theory fascinates me. and sounds simply enough to check.
Gonna get right on it.
Thanks again FBM.

[Jolly Roger]

Found it...

From FastBlackMerc--who was my hero.... Here was my solution:

First off, thank you all of you for assistance. I did do everything I could get to, and almost everything you suggested first thing this AM. I was on the road all week and flew home last night, so this was as fast as I could get to it.

Great team giving great advice. Following-up, or as the great Paul Harvey used to say, "The RRRRest of the story!"

I must be honest--this morning with sleep in my eyes and only on my second cup of coffee -- I cussed the car out, and told it (truthfully) that if it didnt want to start--it didn't really want me as its owner.

I then switched out/exchanged the starter relay from 302 to 304 (thank you FastBleckMerc), and Bam(!) it started with ease on the first turn!

I backed it out, let it warm up for 10 minutes, put Stabil in tank, drove and filled it with gas (never turned it off), drove it like a wildman for an hour, stopped at local Ford Dealer and bought a new relay (letting it idle the whole time), made an appointment to have the starter checked, and drove it back to storage driveway (again, letting it idle). I then tapped (maybe a little more forceful than a tap) on the Starter six or seven times, and pulled it back into the tight fit storage.

Turned it off. Replaced /switched out relays again, pulled 304, put 302 back into 304, and the new relay in 302... And it started right up. The sound and tone of starter engaging was much "higher toned" and "lighter sounding" and "easier" than I ever recalled it being, so I started the cold dormant Silver sitting right next to it to compare--and they sounded the exactly the same."


Try switching out relay between 302 and 304... First. Make sure they are clean as above.

I also replaced the safety brake start relay behind the brake peddle, and my back still hurts (HAHAHA).

I'm on it.
Thanks again 1M.

[Jolly Roger]

I think I forgot to mention that it will start after sitting for anywhere from 10 to 45 mins.
In the mean time gonna tackle the fuse box and circuit breaker then wiring check.
Thanks to all.
I'll be sure to post the results.