The Ford f150 intermittent starting problem may be annoying. A dead battery, bad starter, alternator, clogged fuel filter, or corroded battery post may make F150 won’t start.
Knowing what causes the problem is only half the battle. However, as long as you know the reasons, it’s easy to fix the F150 not starting.
My post discusses the common causes and solutions to the Ford F150’s starting problems.
Read on to figure it out!
Briefly About Ford F150
The Ford F150 is a pickup truck used primarily for passenger transport.
It varies according to trim, cab, and engine choices, and has a payload capacity of between 1,000 and 2,300 pounds.
The Ford F150 is famous for being a rugged and dependable vehicle. Because of numerous engine choices, it can do various duties, from transporting freight to towing trailers.
In addition, the latest version of the Ford F150 has adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automated emergency braking.
In short, F150 combines strength, adaptability, and cutting-edge amenities.
It’s easy to understand why the Ford F150 is the most-loved by consumers. However, no matter how fantastic it is, it sometimes fails to deliver normal operation.
Some of the most frequent problems are related to the powertrain. Among them, the most often reported complaint is the Ford F150 not starting.
Your Ford F150 could make a single clicking noise when you try to start it, but it won’t fully start. When you try to start the vehicle, you’ll get a very brief crank cycle around 50% of the time.
It means that the engine will spin over a couple of times before stopping and not starting. The engine starts when you cycle the key off and try to crank it over again.
If it’s your case, what would cause a ford f-150 to not start? Here are some of the most common reasons and solutions.
What To Do With Ford F150 Intermittent Starting Problem
The most common causes for the Ford F150 intermittent starting problems are:
- The battery failure
- The defective alternator
- The burned-out starter
- Battery post with corrosion
The Ford F150’s electrical system is the source of most problems encountered while attempting to start the truck. Here are some fast steps to follow when an F150 won’t start.
Dead Battery
The battery issue may result in the Ford F150 not starting. This component can die for some reason.
It may involve the fluid level and the corrosive posts. A bad battery cable might also cause the same effect.
First, you need to connect a diagnostic tool to your F-150 starting troubleshooting. It is best to do an electronic battery test, which provides more details than a typical load test.
I recommend measuring both the voltage and cold cranking amps. It would be best if you inspect the diodes that change the electrical current from AC to DC.
If it performs poorly during the test, replace it with a healthy battery. Depending on the year of manufacture, the F150 battery typically has a lifespan of one to three years.
If you’ve replaced the battery and it still won’t start, you can consider that the defective alternator is the cause of your dead battery.
Alternator Issues
A malfunctioning alternator can cause a battery to die. It happens when the alternator doesn’t properly charge the battery.
The alternator will produce rattling and grinding noises when the internal diodes cannot generate enough power to return to the battery. There may be no battery lights as well.
Unfortunately, replacing the alternator is the only way to remedy the problem.
Starter Issues
If you check the alternator and battery and everything is fine, the starter may be burnt out. I advise inspecting the starter and the starter relay.
The defective starter relay can’t deliver the electrical signal from the battery to the starter motor. So, your engine won’t start.
I replaced my starter relay and the truck started and didn’t start again. So, I cooled the starter relay by using a can of freeze spray, and the truck started.
In my opinion, Ford should find a long-term solution to these Ford F150 starter problems rather than simply replacing the relay.
The worn starter motor also causes your Ford F-150 not starting. Therefore, the manufacturer recommends replacing the starter every five years before the components wear out.
Battery Post With Corrosion
The corrosion on the battery terminal is the green-, white-, or blue-tinged residue. Battery acid may seep from the battery’s case, leading to corrosion around the connections.
When the posts become rusted, they begin to break, resulting in a poor connection.
The corroded battery post may also be the reason why the car overheated, resulting in the Ford F150 starting problems.
Removing the corrosion on the battery terminal is an easy and affordable process. Follow the steps below:
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable and the positive cable by using a wrench or a pair of pliers.
- Neutralize the corrosion using baking soda, water, or a dedicated battery post cleaner. Clean the corrosion off the terminals with a wire brush if there is a lot of it.
- Rinse it with water.
- Use the microfiber towel to dry the batteries, terminals, and wires.
- Reconnect the positive and negative terminals and see if the Ford F150 starts up.
Other Issues That A Ford F150 Can Face
Transmission troubles, engine issues, and the four-wheel drive system problem are some of the most often reported complaints.
Transmission Problems
Automatic and manual transmissions must work together to change speeds and provide the car power.
The Ford F150 can roughly shift, jerk, hesitate, or slip if these components do not function properly.
An automatic transmission is more likely to experience slipping issues than a manual one. A broken clutch is the main reason why a manual gearbox slips.
The following issues may cause problems with the Ford F150 automatic transmissions:
- Shattered gear bands
- Worn-out gear
- Torque converter failure
- Leaking transmission fluid
Engine Problems
Some people have complained that their engines have been producing odd noises, and others have said that their engines have been stalling.
The causes of these problems may be malfunctioning sensors, worn-out components, and a defective fuel system.
This problem often happens with carburetor fuel systems. However, it is not likely to occur if the F150 has fuel injection.
Four-Wheel Drive System Not Engaging
Any of the following factors might cause the F150’s 4WD system to fail to engage:
- Failed 4WD Actuator
When your 4WD actuator fails to operate properly, the 4WD becomes difficult to engage. The malfunctioning actuator may send a misleading signal to the engine control unit.
As a result, the electric motor receives more fuel than it would. It may cause the engine to delay the ignition.
- Failed Vacuum Solenoid
On the door locks and valves, there are two electric vacuum solenoids. If the actuator is locking the axle, the solenoid may be stuck.
- Damaged Vacuum hoses
The vacuum hose may break and start leaking. When it occurs, it cannot create the necessary suction, which results in inadequate power transmission.
In such a situation, your car can’t activate the 4WD. Before replacing the hose, try filling the fracture using silicon- or rubber-based sealant.
FAQs
Why Does My Ford F-150 Stall When Idling?
It may be because of the filthy or damaged fuel injectors or a faulty fuel pump.
Why Does My Truck Crank But Not Start Sometimes?
The crankshaft position sensor is a frequent cause of this issue. The spark plugs won’t ignite if the cam sensor isn’t functioning, which prevents the engine from starting.
Why Is My F150 Not Starting Randomly?
A dead battery, corroded cables, and the defective alternator and starter are the common causes when the F150 won’t start. You may also look into the engine compartment to determine if a cable is broken due to rodent damage.
Why Is My Check Engine Light On And The Car Not Starting?
Check the battery charge levels if the car engine cranks slowly and makes a clicking noise but won’t start.
However, if the check engine light is on, the defective fuel pump or the engine can be the cause of the problem.
If you don’t understand what to do with the check engine light, watch the following video:
Conclusion
The Ford F150 intermittent starting problem happens because of a dead battery, bad starter, alternator, clogged fuel filter, or corroded battery post.
Do the battery voltage test to check if it’s healthy.
You may also need to remove the corrosion, apply the liquid electrical tape on the poor connection, or replace the malfunctioning components to solve the Ford F-150 not starting problem.