E150 start intermittent problems

[jasonmiamifl]

For more than a year, I have intermittent start problem with my 1995 E150 cargo van. When I inserted the key and turn to start, it only had click sound and didn't start, tried again and no action. Surprisely if I rotate the wheel little and it might start right away. With problem and solution, I got used to
it and repeat same step once it didn't start. But few times on the roads, it hardly started and I pushed it to side highway and waited. It started at the end.

But since last saturday It getting worse and worse, even didn't start no matter how I rotated the wheel. At then end I had to walk home and left it on the road. Crazy enough sunday morning I walked 2 miles back to where I left it and I rotated the wheel and it started.

Monday afternoon , it didn't start again, no matter what. I was thinking it could be the battery problem, because as soon as I jump start and it started right away. So I bought a brand new battery, clean the cables nicely. It started with one or two click. Was thinking brand new battery and might not fully charged.

Tuesday whole day, it didn't start again, but with 2 or 3 times rotate the wheel and it started finally.

This problem driving me nut and restless.

Anyone out there might have solution to fix this damp problem ??

Your kind help is greatly appreciated.

de Miami, Florida

[driver540]

Sounds like a bad ignition switch.

[jasonmiamifl]

Originally Posted by driver540

Sounds like a bad ignition switch.

Thanks for prompt your kind reply and I will take it to a mechanic shop today and replace that ignition switch.

Sears & Pepboys didn't do that job and rep from Pepboys recommended a local locksmith. So I paid $140 and replaced the
ignition switch. So far so good and never have trouble to start again.

Problem solved.

Grateful for your kind help, also this support forum.

[jasonmiamifl]

Just want to keep my post updated :

Today, I had similar problem to start again, even with brand new ignition switch, brand new battery. I realized that maybe the wheels position played the trick n caused the poor electrical contact , because when both wheels turned few degrees, right or left when parked and it had problems to start.

But funny thing, If I keep both wheels straight in park and very easy to start.

Hope my hint would help someone sometime and somewhere.

Good luck.

[teambldr]

There are a couple other things to look at.

One is the Dimmer Switch/Turn Signal/Wiper controller. Wierd things happen when these go bad including when you go to start it it may not light up the dash lights at all or it can make a low voltage Ding that sounds garbled and then the van wont start or even begin to start. No turning over at all.

Another is the shift linkage being all the way in the park position or being in nuetral.

I have had issues with both