1999 Expedition sometimes doesn't start

I have replaced the starter, replaced the battery, but there are still times where the car doesn't start.

I have tried changing keys thinking it might be the chip on the key.

I am at a loss, there is no consistency at all. The other day my wife and kids got stuck, called AAA and they tried everything, nothing worked...They tried boosting it, shorting the starter, but nothing...

She then waited 45 minutes, turned the key an the car started...

HELP!!!!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

ok you have replaced everything that is obvious but now to the simple stuff that sometimes goes over looked. 2 thinks come to mind.
1. you need to have the sensor under the brake peddle checked to see if it is working correctly. As you probably know you have to have the brake depressed due to a sensor. Check that one.
2. there is also another saftey device on the coulum to make sure it is in park. Check it also. either way this will cause the vehicle to not even turn over.

I have replaced the starter, replaced the battery, but there are still times where the car doesn't start.

I have tried changing keys thinking it might be the chip on the key.

I am at a loss, there is no consistency at all. The other day my wife and kids got stuck, called AAA and they tried everything, nothing worked...They tried boosting it, shorting the starter, but nothing...

She then waited 45 minutes, turned the key an the car started...

HELP!!!!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Hello!

Hope your well...
Check the Neutral Start Switch is located on the Transmission.
Hope this helps, Sincerely, Al

I am having EXACTLY the same problem with our 2000 Expedition. After a short drive (like to the grocery store), I come back out and the car will not start (lights work, but no clicking of the starter). After about 45 minutes, it starts.

It always starts in the morning, and after it's been sitting for 45 minutes, but it occasionally refuses to start when it has been off for less than an hour. (Like when running errands or stopping to fill-up with gas).

The Ford Dealer has not been able to duplicate the problem = no help.
At first, we thought this only happened on hot days (over 80), but this has been happening more often now.

I've replaced the battery - no difference.
Someone suggested the solenoid, but there are 2 and the dealer says the one on the firewall never needs replacing ($90+) and the one on the starter will require a complete replacement of the starter ($500+).

Please let me know if you've found anything that works --
Many thanks,

Please see my reply at http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic344975.htm

I have replaced the starter, replaced the battery, but there are still times where the car doesn't start.

I have tried changing keys thinking it might be the chip on the key.

I am at a loss, there is no consistency at all. The other day my wife and kids got stuck, called AAA and they tried everything, nothing worked...They tried boosting it, shorting the starter, but nothing...

She then waited 45 minutes, turned the key an the car started...

HELP!!!!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Please see my reply at http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic344975.htm


I read your posting about gas filter and ether, but it is not that it is difficult to start, it does not have ANY movement by the starter. When I turn the key, I get dashboard lights, but no starter. Something is preventing the starter from doing anything. I ruled out the fuel system, because I didn't think it would be preventing the starter from being activated.

When you had your problem with starting, did you hear the starter?

Thanks!

I am experiencing the same fault with my 2000 Expedition. After short journeys will park up the car, return and will not start the dashboard lights are all working but the engine doesn't even crank over. Leave it for about 45mins+, it starts.

It is now going to the Ford Dealer for the 3rd time on 28th Feb.
1st occasion the cut me new keys, worked great for about 5days then problem returned.

2nd visit they replace a new ground cable, worked fine for 22days and problem returned.

The Ford guys don't seem to have a clue what is going on. As anyone solved their problem YET!!!!!!!!

Help would be greatly appreciated, on the verge of trading the car in.

Thanks

I'm sorry to hear that you are having the same problem.

We're still trying things, but without guaranteed success.

Our latest effort is to make sure the car is firmly in PARK before turning the key off - thinking that it may be due to contacts in the steering column not being in alignment.

I doubt this will prevent the problem.

I'm predicting it is a problem within the steering column ( = expensive). Our Ford dealer has not been able to duplicate the problem in their shop, and brush us off when we ask if this has ever happened to another Ford customer.

Is there a contact at Ford who will investigate something like this?

I'll let you know if we find a solution to this.

Just got off the phone to the Ford Technician, he seems to think he has the problem solved.

The Transceiver Pins in the steering column were loose, now he his very confident this is the problem. Only time will tell !!!!!!!

Can only suggest you all check yours. Will drive it for a week and let you know the outcome.

I have no contact name at Fords. Have been in touch with Ford Canada only to be told they have no troubleshooting dept, this I find very hard to believe.

Will see how I get on now with these Pins tightened. If no good,then will
keep pestering Fords until the matter is resolved.

Fingers Crossed............

Just got off the phone to the Ford Technician, he seems to think he has the problem solved.

The Transceiver Pins in the steering column were loose, now he his very confident this is the problem. Only time will tell !!!!!!!

Can only suggest you all check yours. Will drive it for a week and let you know the outcome.

I have no contact name at Fords. Have been in touch with Ford Canada only to be told they have no troubleshooting dept, this I find very hard to believe.

Will see how I get on now with these Pins tightened. If no good,then will
keep pestering Fords until the matter is resolved.

Fingers Crossed............

Well, this seems to be going around. My Expedition is at the dealership after stranding me for the second time in 2 weeks. Same as other post, a short trip and run in to get my sons from school, get back in and the car won't start. GRRRRR
The dealership can't figure out what is wrong because of course it started right up once it got towed to the dealership. I will say that both times my car was parked on a slight decline and I had a little over 1/4 tank on both occasions (At least 60 miles till empty)
I just can't have an unreliable car with all of the carpooling I need to do. I hope this can get resolved.

Well guess what, it weren't any transceiver pins. Again went back to the dealer only this time they contacted Ford Canada.

Apparently this is not an uncommon fault, my local dealership were told it is a badly fitted windscreen which lets in water and makes it's way to the fuse box, thus causing the no start.

This I found hard to swallow, but would by now give it a go (anyway I weren't paying for it). I was present when an Windshield company removed my windscreen, belive it or not there was at least 8inches of windscreen which had come unstuck from the frame.

Car worked great for a few days and guess what. YEP it happened again, now I have been told that the fuse box should have been replaced aswell as it was damaged from all the water getting in.
This I can safely say will be the last effort I will allow them to try, a rather nasty letter as been sent to Ford demanding full refund on all unecessary worked carried out.

Will try this for a short time, if it does not work have decided to trade in..,

I'm also having the same problem with mine. since the Cruise Control was disconnected for the recall problem. It has happened 3times this month alone. AAA won't tow no more have been stranded for 4 hours wainting for tow truck got to dealer started right up.Of course they can't do anything about because is started. Had to have the starter jumped yesterday got home wouldn't start when I tried it tried 2hrs later nothing. Waited morning started right up ?!?! I Give up. It going to the shop again on Wednesday if it'll start so they can keep it & see if it does it to them. If you jump the starter it will run. My brother is a GM mechanic & says if you can jump the starter it is definetly not the starter. He says it could be ingintion switch, neutral safety switch. Has anyone got the problem solved yet. I even call Ford corp. complaining about this problem and just told me. that the problem is on file. Please Help

Add me to this mix....I have that won't start too! HELP!

it a relay switch in the little black cilinder that is atached to the bat. cabels up top it cost 4 to 6 bucks and easy to replace

i looked at the box and the part was a starter cilinoid 4 to6 bucks easy to replace

This is the EXACT problem that I have had with my 99 Ford Expedition. I am at a loss for what to do. The last post seemed to indicate a solution...however it was posted over a year ago with no further replys. Does this really work and do you have any more information. Thanks a million!

Sorry to hear that guys. My 2000 Expo has never done that but if everything else that is electronic works fine, well might just be that the steering wheel is turned too hard and let in park. I'm saying that if it doesn't start, try turning the steering wheel, might work.
But any way good luck believe me I know how frustrating it is to not find a problem after turning back and forth.

Try this. I had the same problem Blah, Blah, Blah. To make a long story short it was the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV),

The device sits right on top of the engine behind the the black plastic 5.4 cover. I took it off and I think you can take it apart. It has been about a year and a half since I had the problem. Anyways, I cleaned it and possibly shot some WD40 on it to get it lubricated. Again, can't remember. I got the solution from this website. Their are so many posts for this problem. This was the fix for me hope it helps. Also, the windsheild leak is for real and was a huge problem for me. But, with the help from this site I got the problem fixed and my truck runs great. Fix, replace the GEM module with a junk yard one and used silicone to fix the water leak. I have a more detailed post on this site. If your having any type of electrical problem I would look into the leaking windsheild. Also, the rear wiper motor is Crap and will break with time.

On the 1997 Ford 5.4L I had with an E40D transmission their is a digital transmission range (DTR) sensor. It goes on the side of the transmission and is held on by two bolts. It won't allow you to start if the transmission is not in park or neutral. You should have a otc or lisle alignment tool. This should be cheap and available at a parts store. If you match everything up you might get away without one.
If you have a standard transmission their is a clutch pedal position (CPP)switch for the clutch so you can't start without the clutch pushed in.