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1995 F150 XLT 5.8 E4OD 2WD Single Cab Long Bed
It all started with a failed fuel pump [that may not be relevant, but full disclosure]
As the tank was nearly full and an aftermarket 31gal tank, I tried a trick from the F150 forum to loosen the passenger side bed bolts, remove the bolts on the drivers side and jack the bed up from the drivers side to access the top of the tank. I also had to release the wiring harness for the taillights and remove the gas filler to do so.
Tank had non-standard tank opening at the top for pump. Pulled pump, took to auto parts store to match. Replaced pump. Tested pump and vehicle start, then dropped bed and reattached wiring. Tested start again [good.] Next am tried to start truck, got very weak starter, [one turn] then nothing. Put VM on battery 10.8 volts. Charged battery to full, checked wiring at taillights, it looked like the trailer pigtail was rubbing on the frame so I taped it and secured it.
Once charger indicated battery was full, I tried to start it. I got nothing, literally. No headlights, no relay click, no underhood light [which works without ignition], nothing. Two more tries, no joy. Scratch head, check wires at battery [secure], VM tests battery at 12.98 volts. Walk away for a bit. Come back, try again. Truck starts within seconds, all elec systems functioning. Turn off, restart, perfect. Did it 5 more times in a row, all perfect. Started it one last time, worked great. Took it for a test drive, everything is fine. Pulled over, turned it off. Tried to restart. Nothing. Several more attempts, nothing.
Pulled out phone to find troubleshooting advice and/or a ride. Key was in ignition and turned to on position. I’m standing by the open hood. After about 10 min, I hear a click from under the hood, the fuel pump fires up, and the door chime starts. I immediately jump in and turn the key. It fires up immediately. I drove it home without issues. Once home I started it twice in the driveway while still hot, worked perfect. Since then I have started it over the last few hours a number of times without fail.
Ok Where do I start? Ignition key is a little loose but I’ve had no problems otherwise. Starter relay, everything goes through there first, correct?
You guys have a troubleshooting plan for me? Or do I just blame it on ghosts.TIA
Kevin
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I googled trailer pigtail, but even disconnecting that and some other harnesses with battery connected wouldn’t seem to drain or short an electrical system.
I was thinking a sticky relay or blown fuse but all checked out. Starter, unruled. The only thing I can think of is a neutral safety switch and I do not know my trucks. However, maybe (P) park isn’t actually in park. 2007 Equinox had problems getting the key out of the ignition after shutdown. Kinda opposite of your issue. Nonetheless, it doesn’t sound like an electrical issue directly. Best of luck.
Trailer pigtail.. by that I mean a set of wires attached to the harness for the taillights to plug in to the wires on the towed trailer to power it’s tail and brake lights. It was not attached to a trailer and the exposed plug was touching the frame of the truck. I made the assumption that it caused the battery drain overnight. That’s why I mentioned it.
Ignition switch seems like a good place to start. When experiencing the problem, can you check for voltage downstream from the switch?
Thanks, I’ll give it a try this morning but I’m wondering why all the stuff that doesn’t go through the ignition doesn’t work as well. The headlights, under hood light, brake lights all work without the key in the ignition normally.
Aha, I missed your mention of that. In that case, should be pretty easy to track down. Study the diagram for the common points – battery connections, main fuse, main grounds, inspect them all now, then next time it happens, check continuity and voltage at each quickly before the problem goes away.
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