'99 4.6 won't start...

[Kermit]

... It almost started, maybe ran like a second, almost turned like you didn't hold the key long enough, then repeated attempts it would just crank and not turn over. Can smell fuel, can hear the starter whir after each attempt, but won't turn over. The starter relay fuse looked OK. Feels kinda rough when trying to start too. With the key all the way turned the theft light flashes... Read another thread about a second gen with theft device kicked in unexpectedly, but would the engine still crank if this were the case? On a couple previous occasions the starter has squealed but I think it was because I tried starting it to fast if that makes sense. It doesn't happen a lot and only once where I had to shift thru the gears to make sure park was properly engaged then it started right up. Talked to pervious owners wife, told her it wouldn't start and she said "is it having starter problems again"? At a bit of a loss as to where I should even start looking. Thoughts?

 

[Bowesmobile]

Sounds like the flywheel needs to be replaced as the teeth on it are broken or worn off. But it's hard to tell not being there.

 

[Kermit]

Anyway to check that?

 

[Bowesmobile]

Pull the starter and use a flashlight to look in the starter hole. If the teeth are missing or really rounded off then that is the culprit.

 

[Bedrck47]

"The starter relay fuse looked OK"

just a little bit of thought When you test fuses use a meter. Just saying it looked good is not a true test as an example if you tried to start your vehicle and it didn't start would you look at the battery and say it looks good or would you test it Same with a fuse

 

[Bedrck47]

rather than pulling the starter I believe that there is a cover that can be removed to get a better look at the flywheel

 

[Kermit]

Pull the starter and use a flashlight to look in the starter hole. If the teeth are missing or really rounded off then that is the culprit.

If it were the flywheel wouldn't the starter screech every time I try to start the truck?

I plan on doing a real check of the fuse, by looks OK meant the filament wasn't broken but meter is at Hubby's work right now and have to dig thru some stuff to find my spare fuses.

 

[Bedrck47]

not every time it would all depend on which teeth were being engaged at the time you tried to start Pull the splash pan and check the teeth to see if any are worn or missing

Being the previous owner's wife made a comment about starter problems again that should tell you that the problem needs checking

 

[Bowesmobile]

Roxy is right. I forgot these have the splash pan between the motor and trans. Pulling that will give you a better view of the flywheel.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

Is the thrift light flashing on every attempt? Sounds like its disabling fuel

 

[Kermit]

OK, thanks for all the replies so far, great help. New problem, my manual is for a 2000 expy, my truck is a 99... Anyone know where I can get a proper fuse diagram? **disregard , found a manual on line for my 99**.

 

[Kermit]

OK problem solved! Previous owner stopped by after he got done work, ironically enough, he's a mechanic... Checked a few things, didn't get any fuel thru the line bleeder, asked for a rubber mallet, tapped the tank a few times around the fuel pump and it started right up. Burned REALLY rich at fist but then normalized after a bit.

Fuel line clog... Just filled yesterday too, grr... So... Seafoam in the gas tank should remedy that from happening again, right? 1 can per 1full tank from what I've read on here, right?

 

[stamp11127]

Not to bust your bubble but wishful thinking. I would suspect the fuel pump is on the way out.
What the mechanic did is an old trick for when starters hangup, just did it on the fuel pump.

Think about it, if the pump was clogged why would it start up rich? It didn't start due to lack of fuel.

 

[Bedrck47]

go to owner.ford.com and download a copy of the owners manual which will show fuse locations

 

[Kermit]

go to owner.ford.com and download a copy of the owners manual which will show fuse locations

That's what I did roxy after I asked.

 

[Kermit]

Not to bust your bubble but wishful thinking. I would suspect the fuel pump is on the way out.
What the mechanic did is an old trick for when starters hangup, just did it on the fuel pump.

Think about it, if the pump was clogged why would it start up rich? It didn't start due to lack of fuel.

I have intermittent rich exhaust because of the p0401 code I've been getting so I didn't think too much of it. It often smells rich right after starting by normalizes quickly... but I did think of that too that the fuel pump was on the way out. Hope not but I'm realistic.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

well, seeing as that the hammer "fixed" the pump, go ahead and buy the pump and be prepping for replacement. In my opinion, something that is critical for the truck to run is/should be top priority in the repairs. especially if this is a daily driver.

also, if not done already, get the fuel filter replaced when you do the pump as a while you're at it repair.

 

[stamp11127]

Since you hear the starter that tells you the problem isn't electrical. There are now 2 possibilities, first being broken teeth on the flywheel/ring gear or pinion gear on the starter. Second is the pinion gear is fine but not meshing with the ring gear due to a starter issue.
Easiest check would be to pull the inspection plate and rotate the crank while inspecting the teeth. If they pass inspection replace the starter or pinion gear with a quality unit, not the cheap remans.

 

[Kermit]

Thanks guys... So check starter/flywheel and buy new fuel pump preparing for the inevitable failure... Funny thing, before this I was getting a check engine light with a p0401 code but since disconnecting the battery for a while and clearing the codes it hasn't come back up... Yet... And it's running/idling smoother than post failure. Put seafoam in the gas tank today, just half a can tho, didn't want to over do it since Idk how it'll react to it. Didn't wanna burn anything up.

 

[Bedrck47]

I bet if you check your getting a P1000 code which is drive cycle Once that clears then the P0401 code most likely will reappear

If I were you I would replace the fuel pump before the weather gets to bad unless your going to have a shop replace the pump