04 5.4L won't start?!? Need help please.

[Jcdargan]

Hello everyone,
I am new to the forum so thank you for allowing me to be apart of the community. I have an 04 5.4L expo. This morning it started fine. When I got off work the vehicle wouldn't start. It wouldn't turn over but it wasn't making the constant clicking sound as if the battery was dead. It made a single click then did nothing. All the electrical was completely functional. So I went ahead & replaced the battery as well as the starter relay & fuse. The same problem still persists. I have no idea what the problem could be. So any help would be completely welcome & greatly appreciated.

 

[46L281GT]

Is the theft light on the front of the dash blinking quickly or solid when you first turn the key to on

 

[Jcdargan]

I am not sure. What would the difference between the two mean?

 

[Ed_Strong]

Check the Fuel Pump Relay #R203 at the fuse box aswell... you can swap it for #R202 and see if it works out!

 

[46L281GT]

Blinking quickly means that your key is not recognized by PATS and it will not let the vehicle crank over.

 

[Jcdargan]

Oh okay I will check that out. What could I or should I if it's blinking rapidly?

 

[Skauber]

If the PATS is not recognizing the key, you could try your spare key. If it still doesn't recognize it, then you'll have to reprogram it, which you can do with a bluetooth OBD adapter and FORScan on Windows (not mobile). If you don't have that, then you need either the dealer or a locksmith with the correct scantool

 

[Jcdargan]

The red light is staying solid. But engine not turning over. What does that mean?

 

[Bedrck47]

When you try to start are you hearing any clicking sounds from the starter motor

How many miles on the expy?

What are your electrical troubleshooting skills

 

[Jcdargan]

When I start it there is only one click. Doesn't quit sound like it's coming from the starter. Honestly the starter sounds dead to me. I have almost 190k on the expy. My electrical skills are moderate.

 

[Bedrck47]

Try to start it and listen at the fuse block. Put you finger on the starter relay and see feel or hear if the relay is pulling in You may need a helper to do this.

I have attached a copy of the 03 starting circuit it is the same on the 04

 

[Bedrck47]

check you battery terminals to make sure you have a good clean connection also check the ground connections and the wiring at the starter

All connections need to be clean and tight

 

[[email protected]]

I had that with my Ford windstar and it was the key not communicating with the computer. We had to get a new computer and a new set of keys.

 

[46L281GT]

I had that with my Ford windstar and it was the key not communicating with the computer. We had to get a new computer and a new set of keys.

if he has a solid theft light when key is on, then the key is passing the PATS test. sounds like electrical or starter to me. OP, take the starter out and have it tested at a parts store. The test is typically free.

 

[bnicov]

Tap the starter and the solenoid with a hammer. If that gets it going, you are looking at a new starter or solenoid. Its simple and works sometimes. But, do not wait. It will not work forever.

 

[ez2mbr]

Any update to this? I am experiencing the same problem. Where you able to test your starter?