2010 Expedition, starting issues. Starter replaced twice, need next culprit...

[Fasttimes]

So my Expy has started an issue where all a sudden you turn the key and nothing, no partial crank, nothing. I almost got stuck at a gas station on a road trip, trailer in tow until after 20 tries is just starts. Local shop claimed stater even though there was no progression of starting capabilities. Starter replaced and issue happens again. Shop claims "bad starter". New one replaced and now issue is happening again.

Behavior is when it shows up there is no partial crank, that is until I try to restart like 3-4 times in quick succession and you get a partial crank. Wiggling the key doesn't seem to change it, but that is not 100% for sure. Remove key, put back in, wiggle, try again, try again and then it just starts like there is no issue. Drive, turn off. Starts up, turn off, and then maybe it appears again, maybe not. Frustrating.

So, what's next. I'm thinking maybe ignition switch? I think I recall people saying they are a common issue on these trucks? Should I replace the ignition starter switch? Any other thing it can be? Anti-theft?

Not fun when you can't use your ride for fear you'll get stuck.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Can you put a wrench on the front crank pulley and see if the engine turns freely? * Maybe you have an injector leaking fuel into a cylinder causing hydro lock, or a head gasket leak doing same. * do this with ignition OFF!

 

[Yupster Dog]

So, what's next

check voltage at the starter
check the starter to ground cable

Just to be sure you are not running in circles for nothing.

A voltage drop test is a quick and easy way to check all the
battery cables and connections. Positive and negative sides.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

So my Expy has started an issue where all a sudden you turn the key and nothing, no partial crank, nothing. I almost got stuck at a gas station on a road trip, trailer in tow until after 20 tries is just starts. Local shop claimed stater even though there was no progression of starting capabilities. Starter replaced and issue happens again. Shop claims "bad starter". New one replaced and now issue is happening again.

Behavior is when it shows up there is no partial crank, that is until I try to restart like 3-4 times in quick succession and you get a partial crank. Wiggling the key doesn't seem to change it, but that is not 100% for sure. Remove key, put back in, wiggle, try again, try again and then it just starts like there is no issue. Drive, turn off. Starts up, turn off, and then maybe it appears again, maybe not. Frustrating.

So, what's next. I'm thinking maybe ignition switch? I think I recall people saying they are a common issue on these trucks? Should I replace the ignition starter switch? Any other thing it can be? Anti-theft?

Not fun when you can't use your ride for fear you'll get stuck.

Sure sounds like a defective battery and/or loose and/or corroded battery terminal connectors or posts.

 

[max78]

Sounds exactly like a starter relay going out. Go under the hood and locate the starter relay and swap it with another relay of the same type (usually AC relay).

The fact it doesn't even attempt or even click really points to a relay issue, the shop changing out the starter twice is ridiculous and I would hoped that they did the second one free of charge. .

 

[Gary Waugh]

your symptoms exactly match mine when my starter motor went out, however as it has been replaced 3 times, I think we can rule it out, as stated, it sounds electrical (due to the sudden works/no-working nature) so as stated, I would be checking the main electrical connections and the starter relay. No other ideas..

 

[Fasttimes]

I'm going to replace the ignition starter. This video seems like exactly what is happening to me and the Expy is a 2010 just like mine...

Ford Quick Tips: #22 Ford Vehicles No crank/ No Start Trick

In this video I give a helpful tip on one thing you can try before ever leaving the drivers seat.Check me out on Facebook-http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-...

www.youtube.com

 

[max78]

I'm interested to know if that solves your issue, keep us posted.

 

[LexpeditionKy]

My 2012 XLT had this happen in 2018. I sill have it in 2024, 96,000 miles. Its fixed !

This is a known issue with series 3 Expeditions. my Goodyear mechanic knew about from fixing so many. He says it's common on Jeeps too. I had repeated no crank issues..new battery, checked neutral safety, computer, ignition switch, no codes, new starter. Towed to several dealers even in different states. All under warranty or extended Ford warranty.

This may be related to states with salt on the road, which my state has. Or near the beach which I do in Florida too.
My non Ford mechanic says "It's the connector on the end of the hot cable where it hooks to the starter."

After months of this the Ford dealer shop goes over some sort of Ford written notes on this..not a TSB....and replaces the entire wire. And at my insistence removes all crud and oxidation there and coats it all in Silicone dielectric grease.. Problem solved!!! It did not need a starter. A new end could have been put on the existing wire. Bozos. So many car repair people these days can only do what diagnostics tells them.

The grease should be reapplied as needed to protect from corrosion. At the battery end make sure those felts with grease are on the terminals.

5 years later and it hasn't done it again.

Note my avatar is being towed for this problem,.

 

[Johnathan M]

Does your anti-theft light in the dash flash quickly when this happens? Had an issue similar in an 07 Lincoln MKZ that I had, and the problem was the PATS (anti-theft module) in the instrument cluster was bad. It was an intermittent problem, which made it hard to figure out, but replacing that seemed to help the problem.

I would also agree to check/swap the starter relay to eliminate that possibility. And the corroded cable end seems to be a possibility as well.

The fact that it starts fine when it does start, eliminates the battery as the problem.

 

[JimmyM]

This thread has given me a few more things to check. I'm having a similar issue with my 2011 XLT.

 

[Fasttimes]

I replaced the ignition starter part. Simple job, $38 for the Motorcraft original and about 20 min of my time. Been down with the flu so I haven't been driving much but I did 8 start/stops and drove it one day to work and so far no problems. I'm hoping that was the problem, but jury is out till I get more driving time.

 

[Fasttimes]

Ugh, issue just happened again. Turn the key, nothing, turn off, turn the key, nothing, turn off. Turn the key, starter grinds, turn off, turn the key, starts up. 4 more tries, starts each time.

Could be any of the before mentioned issues I guess. Corroded cable. Starter Relays. Anti-theft. Or perhaps the tolerances of the key cylinder as well. I replaced the ignition switch but it relies on the key cylinder making a good insert and turn into it.

Frustrating as I can't trust my vehicle. Can't take the camper, boat or anything for fear of getting stuck.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Ugh, issue just happened again. Turn the key, nothing, turn off, turn the key, nothing, turn off. Turn the key, starter grinds, turn off, turn the key, starts up. 4 more tries, starts each time.

Could be any of the before mentioned issues I guess. Corroded cable. Starter Relays. Anti-theft. Or perhaps the tolerances of the key cylinder as well. I replaced the ignition switch but it relies on the key cylinder making a good insert and turn into it.

Frustrating as I can't trust my vehicle. Can't take the camper, boat or anything for fear of getting stuck.

Did you remove and clean the battery terminal connectors and battery posts with a battery terminal / post cleaner brush tool?

It still sounds (from afar) like a battery with a bad cell or a cable issue.

 

[Fasttimes]

Did you remove and clean the battery terminal connectors and battery posts with a battery terminal / post cleaner brush tool?

It still sounds (from afar) like a battery with a bad cell or a cable issue.

Yeah, cleaned terminals. I'll have to figure out my next move. I would like to change out the key cylinder to remove that from the list but not sure if I want to try or let a dealer do it.

 

[Johnathan M]

On my 05 expedition, the starter relay was in the passenger foot well on the right side below the dash. There was a cover that popped off and you could get to the relays. If you turn the key and you hear it click over there, then the relay is probably working. You could also swap a couple relays since they are basically the same thing. That's a quick, easy, and free check to eliminate the relay possibility.

 

[Fasttimes]

On my 05 expedition, the starter relay was in the passenger foot well on the right side below the dash. There was a cover that popped off and you could get to the relays. If you turn the key and you hear it click over there, then the relay is probably working. You could also swap a couple relays since they are basically the same thing. That's a quick, easy, and free check to eliminate the relay possibility.

The problem is I can't reliably recreate the issue. So if it happens and I go to test a relay it may start again and the issue is not happening for a few days.

 

[Johnathan M]

The problem is I can't reliably recreate the issue. So if it happens and I go to test a relay it may start again and the issue is not happening for a few days.

Next time it won't start, listen for that click when you turn the key front. I know, it's really frustrating when a problem is intermittent. I have had issues like that as well.

 

[Stemo]

So this sounds like my 2000 Ford Expedition started doing! Bloody hell, changed starter, solenoid, fuel pump, the usual culprits, had car electrician pulling my ECU ... nope it's as @JamaicaJoe says !!

Coolant leak, fully frozen open injectors, burning oil, that's the freeky stuff of just head gaskets going out and curing too late. Had just changed oil and got 2 or more liters of gasoline in the engine oil again after just trying to start my poor Expedition again. So I am up for an overhaul ...

 

[Fasttimes]

Update: This gremlin still eludes me. 2 shops, 4 starters, starter relay, new battery and an ignition switch later and no fix. This latest incident was on vacation where I towed the camper down to the Keys. Used the car for several days no issue. Then randomly was getting some bait and nothing. No crank, no alerts, nothing. Tried 20 times, nothing. Was kind of relieved that the issue was really showing and maybe I could get to a shop with issue displaying. Was about to call AAA and figured one more turn and of course it starts right up. Back to the campsite it does it again. Leave it a while, try later and it cranks up.

Was able to make it home and took it to the last shop that replaced the last starter under Napa warranty. They had the truck 3 days and of course it declined to show itself. They say they've checked the wires so I'm at a loss. These guys have been great though and not charging me for these diagnostics.

This really stinks. If I can't trust the truck I can't tow anywhere of distance for fear it'll rear it's head at an inopportune time like the gas station with trailer in tow. Guess I could take it to a Ford dealer and see if they have any knowledge of something like this, but I'm afraid the issue will not happen and I'll just pay for their time.