Starting issue

[cce2020]

Hello, we just bought a 2016 limited with about 65k miles on it and it seems to be in pristine condition. Nothing of concern was in the carfax. After having it a day or two we've had some issues with it not starting. Usually it starts fine, but about 4-5 times now in the last few days it just wont even try. It's the push button start. Oddly enough, if you lock the doors and then unlock them again (with the remote), it will start. When it doesn't start there is some type of warning about brake system error or something like that and maybe the brake peddle is stiff at those times as well (can't remember if it always is).

Any ideas what may be causing this?

We had an old Hyundai that had a valet setting with the remote where you locked/unlocked the car while the door was open and it put the car in a different mode, but I'm thinking that's not what's happening here or a feature on this vehicle.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

This could be several things, but I would start with checking for a short in or a corroded wire on the back of the push button, making for an intermittent/bad connection, as well as a phantom/parasitic drain on the battery, which may also be at least part of the issue... and while your at it, check the battery cables themselves for corrosion/loose fitting clamps..

Also of note is that voltage fluctuations/drops can wreak havoc with the many electronic modules in these vehicles, like the PCM/ECU etc, but that will take you in a more complicated/detailed path of diagnostics, so you could probably save some $$ by starting with the above things

 

[Ryan L]

Could be the brake pedal sensor is failing. Recently replaced one in my 2016 Limited. My symptoms were the opposite of yours, as the car kept thinking brakes were being applied at random times. Maybe your sensor is failing in the other direction (car thinks brakes are not applied when they actually are). It was a low cost sensor and about 10 minutes of work contorting myself in the footwell.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hello, we just bought a 2016 limited with about 65k miles on it and it seems to be in pristine condition. Nothing of concern was in the carfax. After having it a day or two we've had some issues with it not starting. Usually it starts fine, but about 4-5 times now in the last few days it just wont even try. It's the push button start. Oddly enough, if you lock the doors and then unlock them again (with the remote), it will start. When it doesn't start there is some type of warning about brake system error or something like that and maybe the brake peddle is stiff at those times as well (can't remember if it always is).

Any ideas what may be causing this?

We had an old Hyundai that had a valet setting with the remote where you locked/unlocked the car while the door was open and it put the car in a different mode, but I'm thinking that's not what's happening here or a feature on this vehicle.

There was a safety recall for the 2016 Expedition models involving the brake booster. Check the NHTSA.gov web site to see if your vehicle has been repaired?

The issue sure sounds like a bad battery and/or loose or corroded or oxidized cable connectors and terminals. Note that if you remove the battery cables to clean the connectors, you may erase any stored trouble codes which may also point you in a direction for repair.

 

[cce2020]

Thanks for all the feedback. When this problem happens, it will also start if you hold the start button for about 10 seconds. It did it this afternoon but I didn't notice any errors on the screen, but it just kept holding the button and it eventually started. There aren't any sounds like it's trying to start but can't. it just sits there with all the dash lights on etc. Sounds like there isn't some type of valet setting we could have it set it or something like that. I'll check over all the cables/connections tomorrow. NHTSA shows 0 unrepaired recalls. Thanks again for taking the time to offer insight/suggestions.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Thanks for all the feedback. When this problem happens, it will also start if you hold the start button for about 10 seconds. It did it this afternoon but I didn't notice any errors on the screen, but it just kept holding the button and it eventually started. There aren't any sounds like it's trying to start but can't. it just sits there with all the dash lights on etc. Sounds like there isn't some type of valet setting we could have it set it or something like that. I'll check over all the cables/connections tomorrow. NHTSA shows 0 unrepaired recalls. Thanks again for taking the time to offer insight/suggestions.

Good luck.

One other thing to check: Some on this forum (including me) have had excessive corrosion on the positive battery cable where it meets the metal connector (under the red rubber cover) on the 2015 - 2017 models.

Ford even issued a TSB instructing dealers to replace the connector and not the entire cable (not a recall): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164497-0001.pdf

 

[07ExpyEL]

I had a similar issue with my 2016. Turns out it was something very simple, just a weak battery in the remote. I have found that the cheap ones from amazon don't last long and when they start to go the push button start only works if I hold the remote right next to it. Does not work from my pocket. Good luck.

 

[rollinstone]

Another thing to check may be the start solenoid/relay. I'm too lazy to look it up on the 3rd Gen Expy, but on my '97 Explorer it was easily accessible on the driver's side fender. Check YouTube for testing the solenoid on your Expy. A 2016 is old enough to have corrosion or other old-age issues. Go with a new Motorcraft replacement if that's the problem. After market solenoids are junk.

 

[cce2020]

Thanks for all the feedback and sorry for the slow reply. This was a frequent thing then it stopped doing it and was working fine but now it's back to doing it 3 out of the last 5 starts. Of course the AC also went out and I noticed some of the buttons on the left side of the steering wheel also don't work...which seems to be a symptom of a bad clock spring. All the connections look clean. One thing about this car is it definitely still looks new. When the push button fails to start, it always starts the second time or if you just keep holding it. The key fob doesn't move so I don't think a low battery there is a symptom of it. Everything else electrically works. One thing that has changed is the weather. It's been cold here these last few days so i wonder if i need to check my terminal connections again.