Starter Issue?

[Shutterbug57]

My 2019 Max 4x4 has started to take its time when starting. This takes 3-5 seconds of cranking before it fires up. Yesterday in the middle of a 200 mile trip, it refused to start and would only try for a second or so. I unplugged my phone which was running maps and it started up. Today, it is back to long start ups.

I measured the battery at 12.65 volts with the truck off. Does this sound like a starter issue? The unplugging the phone issue has me a bit concerned it could be a computer issue. I appreciate your help.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

My 2019 Max 4x4 has started to take its time when starting. This takes 3-5 seconds of cranking before it fires up. Yesterday in the middle of a 200 mile trip, it refused to start and would only try for a second or so. I unplugged my phone which was running maps and it started up. Today, it is back to long start ups.

I measured the battery at 12.65 volts with the truck off. Does this sound like a starter issue? The unplugging the phone issue has me a bit concerned it could be a computer issue. I appreciate your help.

I’d bet you have a weak battery issue, and / or loose or corroded battery terminal connectors.

 

[Shutterbug57]

I’d bet you have a weak battery issue, and / or loose or corroded battery terminal connectors.

Could be, but the dealer replaced the battery in Nov 2024.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Is it a Motorcraft battery? They have been failing quickly. I had to have my 1 year old battery replaced and the dealer used a NAPA battery instead due to the motorcraft failures

 

[Shutterbug57]

Is it a Motorcraft battery? They have been failing quickly. I had to have my 1 year old battery replaced and the dealer used a NAPA battery instead due to the motorcraft failures

Good to know. I will be inquiring at the dealer tomorrow. If the battery is toast, i would expect them to replace it on their dime as it was new in November 2024,

 

[DieselMonk]

I don’t think it is the battery unless the cranking is really slow. I’d look at fuel pressure first.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Good to know. I will be inquiring at the dealer tomorrow. If the battery is toast, i would expect them to replace it on their dime as it was new in November 2024,

It has a 3 year warranty so u would be covered

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Good to know. I will be inquiring at the dealer tomorrow. If the battery is toast, i would expect them to replace it on their dime as it was new in November 2024,

Good luck - let us know what the dealer determines.

 

[ZigZagFred]

I had a battery issue that I got from my local dealer. Although only 10 months old, it wouldn't hold a charge. They replaced it and charged me $12 based on the prorated cost. I'd ask for a new battery. A really nice Expedition is just a paperweight without a dependable battery.

 

[Shutterbug57]

Appointment scheduled for Wednesday.

 

[Shutterbug57]

Well, the dealer has had my truck for 2 days. They are saying it is not acting up for them and it threw no codes. The battery tested ok. They have not tested the starter yet. Hopefully I will get it back tomorrow. We shall see. Not impressed at present.

 

[SyndicateZ]

I don’t think it is the battery unless the cranking is really slow. I’d look at fuel pressure first.

My vehicle started right up absolutely no delay and they said it was bad battery after actually doing tests on it. Which puzzled me too

 

[DieselMonk]

Well, the dealer has had my truck for 2 days. They are saying it is not acting up for them and it threw no codes. The battery tested ok. They have not tested the starter yet. Hopefully I will get it back tomorrow. We shall see. Not impressed at present.

That’s what I thought it isn’t the battery
And for the long crank they want to test the starter? Geez… nah…

 

[DieselMonk]

My vehicle started right up absolutely no delay and they said it was bad battery after actually doing tests on it. Which puzzled me too

In your case could it have been a bad battery? Maybe. Too late now. I rather bet on the terminals looking but weren’t clean.

 

[Shutterbug57]

That’s what I thought it isn’t the battery
And for the long crank they want to test the starter? Geez… nah…

The reason i think the starter may be an issue is that after running 100 miles and stopping for 15 minutes, the truck failed to start. When you hit the starter button, it tried to crank for less than a second. It did this repeatedly for 8-10 tries. Then it started normally. The long cranks were on the next day. It has been starting fine since. Could be a dead spot on the starter.

My gut feel at this point is they will throw up their hands and say they could not repeat it, so good luck.

 

[keny01998]

My starter went out after 5 years and 98k miles. My 19 Expedition would not start after a day or two, battery was replaced few months ago. Dealer confirmed it was the starter and they charged me $570 installed for a new starter.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Could be, but the dealer replaced the battery in Nov 2024.

Yea, but replaced it with WHAT ?

Is it a Motorcraft battery? They have been failing quickly. I had to have my 1 year old battery replaced and the dealer used a NAPA battery instead due to the motorcraft failures

^^THIS^^

I had some battery (an 8yr old OEM-MC one) issues a while back, and the dealer replaced it with another MC that was the closest to the OEM model... 4 weeks later, same issue again, another OEM replacement on their dime....

2 weeks after that, same shit all over again....

So I said screw that crap & went to the NAPA store, bought their top of the line model, which was slightly larger & more CCA's than the OEM (just slightly above factory specs), and BAM, no mo issues whatsoever, and that was 2 years ago. They even gave me a $105 trade-in credit !

 

[Fastcar]

The reason i think the starter may be an issue is that after running 100 miles and stopping for 15 minutes, the truck failed to start. When you hit the starter button, it tried to crank for less than a second. It did this repeatedly for 8-10 tries. Then it started normally. The long cranks were on the next day. It has been starting fine since. Sound be a dead spot on the starter.

My gut feel at this point is they will throw up their hands and say they could not repeat it, so good luck.

To me you just described a dead spot in the starter motor.

 

[DieselMonk]

Or a loose / corroded power cable on the starter. I just fixed a Ranger doing a similar thing 4 weeks ago.
I just find a starter with a dead spot and only being like 5 years old a little off…
I am in a harsher climate near the Atlantic coast and my truck is always outside. Never had a problem with starters (on cars / trucks). However my horn failed and got that replaced under warranty. That was the first horn that I had fail ever.

 

[Dice Roll]

If they checked the cables then that pretty much leaves the starter.

The battery problems listed in this entire post are why my stuff gets Odyssey now. I did go with a duralast agm three and a half years ago in one car. That one was fine. I recall it had a three year full replace to warranty and the lead one was two. I usually get five years in the nose in all my vehicles, but since evs became en vogue, batteries seem to be janky out of the box. So I stepped up my game to odyssey. They are not cheap. I’m intrigued by one called XS power, lithium ion, but they are even more money.