2001 Ford F-150 Won't Start

1915 FORD F-150
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SWEETHANGS
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  • 2 POSTS
My husband is deployed and his 2001 Ford F150 has been pretty much parked for the last 6 months. I drive it occasionally, and it seems to have been running fine. I parked it in the garage and went to visit family for the holiday break(2 1/2 weeks) and when I went to start it today it wouldn't start. At first I got a sort of clicking and it wouldn't turn over, but the lights and everything else worked so I don't know if it is the battery. Now it makes no noise when I try to start it but the interior lights keep flashing on and off, even when the key is not in the ignition and the doors are shut. At one point the automatic locks were locking and unlocking all by them selves. Is the battery just dead, or going dead? Or should I see if I can get it towed to a shop. I don't know anyone around here, and I am going to have to buy jumper cables so I thought I would ask before I went thru the trouble.
Jan 7, 2006 at 8:36 AM
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SWEETHANGS
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does anyone think that cruise control recall could have caused the problem. My dad says that it sounds like there is still power even though my key is not in the ignition, so I disconnected the battery and clicking and lights flashing stopped.
Jan 7, 2006 at 1:04 PM
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COSMO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 347 POSTS
The most common thing is the battery is low....although the lights and locks are all working...these things do NOT require many amps to run and draw a very small load on the battery. The starter is a very HEAVY load on the battery and draws ALOT of amps......my advise is too put a battery charger on low or medium for a few hours and then check it.


Cosmo
Jan 7, 2006 at 1:43 PM
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BILL
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I would agree with Cosmo & either have the battery charged up with a charger , swap with known good one first to see if that is the root cause.


Also, turn on the lights and have someone watch to see if they go very dim when you try to crank it over, if the lights go really dim, that would most likely point to a bad battery...

If the truck is going to be setting for months, look at buying a "Trickel Charger" at Walmart (about $20.) and hook it up & this will keep a maint charge on the battary, or simply drive the truck around a few hours a month, etc....

Recommend Walmart or Costco for replacements as they have great warranties as well....
Jan 9, 2006 at 3:24 AM
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DUDE
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I have found that most batteries last about 5 years in this area ,after that its just good luck
Disconnect cables and hook up a charger as per mfg instructions if battery is any good it will respond to charging faairly quickly ,like 8 hours to full charge .
If after charging and starting it several times it goes dead again its likely shot
When buying a charger make sure its a automatic one otherwise you can overcharge and ruin a good battery (dont ask me how i know this)
Can you not call your hubbys base and ask if some one caaan help you .normally others are good to help when paaart of a group
Ps; best of luck on hubbys deployment
Jan 10, 2006 at 12:29 AM
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Suggested Repair

Charge the battery with an automatic charger on low or medium for several hours, then retest starting. If the lights dim heavily while cranking, or the battery will not hold a charge after several starts, replace it. If the truck will sit for long periods, use a trickle charger or drive it periodically.

Conversation Summary

A 2001 Ford F-150 that had been parked for about two and a half weeks would not crank. It first clicked, then made no noise, while interior lights flashed and the locks cycled even with the key out. Disconnecting the battery stopped the activity. Experts said the lights and locks draw little current, so a weak battery can still power them but not the starter. They recommended charging and testing the battery, replacing it if it will not hold a charge, and using a trickle charger or occasional driving if the truck sits unused.

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