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Engine starter not working?

Tiny
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Okay, that does not matter at this point. We will go where the testing tells us.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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I came over here today, put the key in, and bam fired right up like nothing ever happened.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, came back out to put my OBD2 on it. Still only showing bad fuel rail sensor. Tried to crank it again and nothing!
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, but I am worried it will happen again unless the root cause of failure is found.

Unfortunately ECM's cannot fix themselves.

Did they do anything to the car?

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Like my second response, it did happen again. I removed the PCM and sent it off to them. They rebuilt it and I replaced it, along with the plugs and coils.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, once testing is done, you may be doing the same thing again.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, here's where I stand: I checked everything to the start relay. Had suspicions it was the ignition switch, but it's lightning up the relay base. Thanks to a great video I watched on YouTube pinpointing the complete electrical ignition wiring system. Even have ground coming back to the relay from the PCM. Now not sure which hot comes off the ignition switch to the PCM, but pretty sure that's good. I jumped the solenoid to the starter and it turned over. Ground to the starter is good! Now I'm in the same place where I started. I hate electrical problems! Any more advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, I attached the wiring diagram a few posts ago.

Go to the relay and test for power with the key on. The Fuse should be sending voltage to the relay at terminal 30. Then turn the key to start. You should have another power on terminal 86. If you have those powers, install the relay and see if it clicks when you turn to start. That will tell me if the ECM is grounding the control side of the relay.

Do that test and let me know.

By the way, the fuse panel powers the ECM. If the ECM had a power issue, the check engine light would not come on and there would be no communication.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Yes, did all of the above on my previous testing. And yes relay clicks. I have power everywhere I should. Something somewhere is still not sending voltage to solenoid on starter.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, if the relay clicks, did you verify voltage to the starter solenoid little wire?

If there is power, the starter is bad.

If there is no power, then it is either a bad relay or a broken or corroded wire from the fuse block to the starter solenoid.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Considering it's a 15 year old truck, spending the first 12 years of its life up north, I'm wondering if it's a ground issue? If so where should I start?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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There is no power to the solenoid wire. My question is, that only starts it, then why did it stall and begin all these issues?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Okay, if there is no power, then you have a harness issue between the 2 points. That could also be the reason for the stalling.

Try having someone hold the key to start and do a wiggle test on the harness to see if you can get it to crank.

Yes, it could be related as a wiring harness issue could cause both issues.

No to the ground. You already had the starter cranking.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Still a no go. However, I mentioned in my first post there is a weird buzzing noise coming from the driver side front with the key in the on position. Call me funny, I've been under the hood of this thing for years, and have never heard it. Can't pinpoint it exactly, I do not have stethoscope either. Your thoughts?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Hard to say. It sounds electrical but the question is where is the noise coming from.

I do not think it is an issue at this time.

You need to have the harness checked for open or shorted wiring.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Update:

Well, you had it from the jump! Turned out to be a faulty PCM. After hours of searching for a bad wire I did figure out I wasn't getting the ground from the PCM back to the relay. Sadly I was checking it at the diode, not realizing a diode is different than a fuse. Anyway, luckily they warranted the PCM so I got it replaced for free.
Thank you for all the help.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)

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