1999 expy leaves damsal in distress :(

[pretty baby]

interested in hearing some feedback on this problem, My expy has been intermittently not starting....lights on dash etc come on when I turn the key, but she wont turn over. after doing a ton of reading up on this I realize there could be a number of things wrong...wire corrosion, lose wire, anti theft...key on and on.....So I have learned that in order to get it to start I have to disconnect my battery for at least 10 mins to reset the computer, then it would fire up no prob. Now im finding that I everytime I am forced to disconnect my battery I have to leave it sit longer and longer ...up to an hour then it turns over......is this an indication that my computer is on its way out? if so anyone have a clue what replacement cost is ? or am I better off just getting rid of her? LOL and yes it is a HER .....no man would ever be this tempermental!

 

[FordandPolaris]

Do you get a rapidly blinking theft light when the key is turned to on? Also do you try and push the shifting stalk up some while starting it? Sometimes the sensor does not sense that it is in park, and therefore doesn't crank the motor. Others will chime in I am sure.

 

[pretty baby]

no the theft light does not change from what it normally does. I have only tried shifting out of Park, then neutral, back to park once...I didn't work

 

[toms89]

My experience with pats is it will crank fine but will not fire or start.

If you are saying it does not crank at all (turn over) I would say its in the starter circuitry itself which includes the park/neutral safety switch as FordandPolaris mentioned or power from the battery.

Have you tried to jump it when this occurs?? It is possible you have a bad battery.

Do you hear a click when you crank the ignition to start? If so this would indicate the starter circuit to the solenoid is likely ok.

I would check battery terminals, grounds, connections on starter solenoid as well as the starter.

Here is a video on testing the starter solenoid:

Ford Starter Solenoid Troubleshooting, Replacement and Function - YouTube

Resetting the pcm should have no effect on cranking. Starting yes... but it should crank regardless.

 

[toms89]

Please confirm exactly what it is doing or not doing.

Does it turn over at all when the key is turned to the crank position or just silence?

 

[pretty baby]

I know the battery is good, when I try to start it all the dash lights come on....upon cranking there is no noise, have cleaned terminals, wires, solenoid comes up good when tested as ....yes there is a click noise when Im trying to start it

 

[toms89]

I know the battery is good, when I try to start it all the dash lights come on....upon cranking there is no noise, have cleaned terminals, wires, solenoid comes up good when tested as ....yes there is a click noise when Im trying to start it

Dash lights do not indicate battery health. Starter draws far more load than anything else on the car.

If the click you hear is coming from the solenoid on the firewall under the hood that should confirm the starter solenoid is receiving power from the ignition start circuit.

Edit: Correction what I referred to as the solenoid on the firewall would be more correctly identified as a starter relay. The high amperage starter solenoid is actually located on the starter in the expeditions.

That leaves battery, solenoid, starter or large cables and connections. A volt meter could quickly identify the source.

 

[toms89]

I would put voltmeter directly on terminals of battery.

Should be appr. 12.5 volts. 12 at the min. If not battery dead.

If you have 12+ volts on terminal have someone turn key to crank position.

If voltage drops to 8 volts or less battery is bad. If you get very little voltage drop its the solenoid, starter or wiring/connections.

To check the solenoid check for voltage between the large terminal (load side, not battery) and ground. Should be nothing. Now have someone turn key to start or crank position. You should get battery voltage readings. If not solenoid is bad. (bad contacts internal)

If all the above checks out your down to the starter or wiring to it.

 

[pretty baby]

Yes we have tested with voltmeter, battery is at 12.4 , everything else also comes up good on the meter as well..

 

[toms89]

Yes we have tested with voltmeter, battery is at 12.4 , everything else also comes up good on the meter as well..

Whats the reading @ the battery when the key is turned to the start position?

 

[pretty baby]

I just don't get it..... if it was wiring/ connections/ starter ( have all been tested) , why would resetting the computer work?

 

[pretty baby]

hmmm not sure, I want to say that's what it came up as when the key was on ?

 

[pretty baby]

hmmm that im not sure of, I want to say that it was at 12 with key on...

 

[toms89]

hmmm that im not sure of, I want to say that it was at 12 with key on...

Key on and crank position are different..... crank position should put heavy load on battery if everything is working correctly and you would have voltage drop.

 

[pretty baby]

not sure , id have to ask hubby that one

 

[pretty baby]

im still unclear why that has to do with resetting my computer ? and the fact that 2 weeks ago I could disconnect the battery for 10 mins and she would fire right up..... now it has to be disconnected for at least 20 or more mins
, does that indicate that the problem is becoming worse or ? :S

 

[toms89]

im still unclear why that has to do with resetting my computer ? and the fact that 2 weeks ago I could disconnect the battery for 10 mins and she would fire right up..... now it has to be disconnected for at least 20 or more mins
, does that indicate that the problem is becoming worse or ? :S

In my opinion..........

I believe you have somehow come to the conclusion that resetting the pcm (disconnecting the battery) is allowing it to start and are sold on that theory when it may have nothing to do with it. This may hamper your ability to properly diagnose and you may skip steps if your are convinced otherwise.

It could simply be your disturbing the connections or the fact your removing any and all loads from a weak battery allowing it to recover.

Disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes or an hour should make no difference as far as resetting the pcm . There are not different levels of pcm "resetting" though it may make most feel better the longer it is disconnected.

 

[toms89]

A much speedier way to reset pcm and remove all potential voltage from system........

Disconnect battery.

Turn on headlights while battery is disconnected and turn key to start position a few times. This will remove any and all potential voltage left in the system. (I personally feel this is overkill but wth. )

Turn headlights off and remove key.

Reconnect battery

Done.

5 minutes or 2 years the pcm will not know the difference.

 

[stamp11127]

Try smacking the starter with a hammer next time it doesn't start. There is a solenoid on top of the starter that can act up.

Check the voltage drop on the battery cables - both positive and negative.

The pcm has nothing to do with the starting circuit. It is still old school at this point. Once it determines that the rpm is above cranking speed, the pcm will keep the fuel pump running. Otherwise it kills power to the fuel pump relay after a few seconds.

Like Tom said, also check the cranking voltage when attempting to start.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I still say we need the voltage while cranking. Cranking would be the position past run that you put the key in to actually turn over the motor. Have one turn the key while the other checks the voltage at the battery.