Hopping into your Ford to switch on and have a ride to your favorite place, only for it to fail to ignite, can be disappointing. You may need to figure out where to begin, but it’s normal for your F150 not to start.
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Ford F150 Ignition Overview
Faulty wiring, trouble with your remote starter, battery troubles, or a malfunctioning fuse can all trigger the starting system error in your Ford F150.
But don’t worry. To fix your car, you must change the fuse, fix or replace the battery, repair the wiring, or service your remote starter.
Your car troubles can leave you overwhelmed. And for this reason, read our article to learn the causes and fixes for your Ford 150.
What Does a Starting System Fault Mean?
You can get a starting system fault notification that your engine control system has discovered an issue in one of the components needed to start the engine. This might mean a problem with another component of the starting circuit or the ignition switch.
Should you get the warning in the instrument cluster upon starting your car, drive to a garage for repair and have the mechanic look it over.
It might be as easy as changing an outdated battery or more severe, such as an internal electrical fault that needs proper analysis and repairs.
What Causes Starting System Fault on a Ford F150?
The Ford’s starting system is a complicated collection of elements that operate in tandem to start the engine. Take a look at the following most likely causes of the starting system malfunction:
a) A Malfunctioning Alternator
As you drive your car, the battery also charges. Without this, car batteries’ charge wouldn’t last since they only hold for a limited time.
An alternator in your engine is the component that does the work. It generates an electric current by rotating several magnets through a rubber rotating belt and conveyor system. This charge gets to the battery, which uses it to run the vehicle radios, lights, AC, radios, and other electrical components.
The battery will completely drain if you forget to turn off your car lights overnight. And you’ll have to jumpstart your car on waking up.
A rusty, dirty, or malfunctioning alternator may fail to charge your battery or provide minimal power. This might result in a startup failure or problems with the startup procedure. A visual evaluation of your Ford alternator might help determine if it needs replacement or cleaning.
b) Faulty Fuse
When any of your F150 fuses blow, you will have difficulty starting your vehicle.
The starting system problem is frequently a sign that the gas pump fuse has blown.
c) Wires Are Loose
Driving over long distances on rugged terrain can generate significant engine vibrations. As a result, wires and cables can loosen with time. When you examine the alternator and find out it’s in good working condition and the battery is complete, the problem might be with the wiring.
d) A Malfunctional Battery
Each terminal links to the circuit whenever you attach the battery to your F150. Then it powers all your Ford electronics, such as the alternator and spark plugs.
Your car battery is thus critical to the functioning of your vehicle, and if it fails or becomes inefficient, it can create a slew of problems. This is particularly true if you have a lot of power-consuming parts in your vehicle.
The electrical equipment strains an already tired battery, resulting in difficulties like a visible rattling while driving.
A battery power shortage may result in inconsistent spark plug firing and gasoline sitting in the cylinders instead of burning. A completely dead battery means that the vehicle can not ignite at all.
e) Problems With Your Remote Starter Issues
The starters are the electrical devices that turn the engines and allow them to start. When they fail, their Fords will refuse to start. Or may do so for some seconds before stalling. If this occurs, you have to replace the starter.
You can check the remote starter when nothing else helps. The problem doesn’t exist in older cars. Thus, if you own a model which precedes 1998, the problem isn’t to blame.
But, if your keyless starter fails in modern automobiles, the car stops itself from starting.
How To Fix Starting System Fault on a Ford F150
Here are some ways to Starting System Fault on your F150:
a) Change Your Fuse
Replace the fuse using the following easy steps:
- Lift the bonnet of your automobile.
- Locate the fuse box.
- Find the gas pump fuse.
- Substitute with a new one or redirect the fuse
It’s a simple technique that you may undertake at home. But rerouting is optional because fuses are inexpensive and last longer.
b) Fix the Wires of Your Car
Unlike fuses, wires are sometimes conveniently placed in a single box. They are all over the car, connecting various parts. And fixing may become challenging.
You may need to get the vehicle started by tightening a connector. However, it is typical for a slack connection to be the source of the problem. Or a rusty link will be fine after a quick wiping with oil.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Unlock the door to the passenger side.
- Remove the panel from behind your Ford’s door.
- Examine the wiring
- Reattach the wire
- Use zip ties to secure it, though it’s optional.
c) Repair and Replace the Battery
While you may want to troubleshoot for possible starting issues, first ensure that you completely charge the battery and that it’s in excellent working order. When you feel your battery is dying or dead, use a booster pack to power it or jump box before restarting the engine.
Battery repair isn’t a do-it-yourself project, so you may have to take your vehicle to a trustworthy car repair company. You would need substantial knowledge if you were to do it yourself. And also specific instruments to repair any battery problems successfully.
It’s also a complex procedure that necessitates the removal and reattachment of several wires.
If the battery is functional, but you continue to see a starting system problem notification on your dashboard, one of the elements in your car system could be dysfunctional.
And should these methods fail to work, there could be a problem with your starter system. You should seek the services of a mechanic to diagnose and fix your car. It’s much easier to hire an expert.
d) Clean the Alternator
Dusting the alternator is another option before opting for replacement. There’s a belt connecting the alternator on your Ford F150 to the engine. And It’s near the engine’s front. Try cleaning it when it appears rusty to see if it improves.
And if your effort to clean the alternator fails, you might have to change the part. This is significantly more complex than replacing a battery, But if you have some mechanical skills and no mechanic is available, you could try. Using YouTube videos to guarantee you understand what to do at each step is a good idea.
e) Check the Remote Starter
Before checking the starter, ensure that the mechanic made all connections correctly and tightened the components. Especially if you recently changed any element of the starting mechanism.
Because it’s a somewhat uncommon situation, resolving it will need the assistance of a professional in the subject.
However, the remote starter troubles might result from being out of range of your Ford. It’s possible if there are obstructions between the vehicle and the remote or the car is far from you. To resolve the issue, move closer to the vehicle or remove any impediments obstructing the signal.
You could opt to replace your old starter with a new remote starter. But if you don’t use the functionality regularly, you don’t have to replace it.
Can You Fix the Starting System Fault Yourself?
The temptation to fix the starting system issue might be great, but should you? In 2021 there were over 2.6 million nonfatal work-related injuries. With the possibility of hurting yourself when trying to fix the starter issue, it’s best to avoid the risk of injury.
Again, you may need more professional skills and resources to resolve the problem. So, you could spend lots of time and no positive results. What’s more? You could damage your car. And should you ruin any other parts during the fix, your efforts will be far more costly.
So, check out a good mechanic around you. They may sound expensive, but a US mechanic earns between $19 and $25 per hour. And the total cost will depend on the nature of your Ford’s problems.
Choosing a professional mechanic requires you to consult one and see the results yourself. Or you could depend on reviews and referrals. Though online reviews can be tricky since they could lack veracity. Use them as the last option.
