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Engine not starting

Tiny
JILES
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 43,000 MILES
I am a retired auto mechanic. I have a fully serviced 05 Ford Freestyle with 43K. Had since nearly new with absolutely no problems. Wife pulled the vehicle out of the carport and parked it.
She asked me to pull car back in and it would not start.
The engine turns over and seems to be trying to start on less then all cylinders. It will hit on about 2 or 3 cylinders, run rough for less then two seconds and will go dead. Additional attempts result in exactly the same results.
My scanner shows no codes, I reset the fuel pump, tried the additional ignition key with no luck.
There is a strong smell of unburned or partually burned gasoline.
The car is outside and weather prevents me from checking anything now.
I seem to remember reading that an unprogrammed key or malfunctuning theft system would give these starting problems.
What are your thoughts conserning this problem?
THANKS
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Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 AT 7:33 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
HOBODEWEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ford is notorious for failed MAF sensor. Unplug the harness from the sensor (located in the air filter box) and try to start. If it does start then replace the MAF sensor. Look on Ebay. They sell new ones for about half of the price that the auto parts stores charges for re manufactured ones.

Also a crankshaft angle sensor can cause this issue as well here are two guides to help you get the job done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-mass-air-flow-sensor-maf

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Please let us know what happens. Cheers
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Friday, February 12th, 2010 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
SHAWN LANDGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Issue occurred after I had replaced a bad alternator which then led to a replacement of the Throttle Body. Now the car will not start. It has gas to the fuel rail. I pulled one of the plugs that have the coil pack on it and laid it on the engine to check for spark and I did not see or head any.
Suggestion? There are also no codes popping up.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hey SHAWN,

It sounds like you have a crankshaft angle sensor that has gone bad, here is a couple guide to help you do some checking to get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken

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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWN LANDGREEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The problem was the crank shaft sensor. Replaced it and the car started right up. It took a bit for the throttle body to learn but once it did it runs smooth.
Thank you again for you comments and help.

Shawn
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHILIMOM4
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,000 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
2005 Ford Freestyle 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 36000 miles

I turn the key and all that happens is the engine clicks. I turned off all electronics, and checked the fuel restart. Waited, and tried again. Nothing, it just clicks.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Clicking? Or nothing at all? If you hear a click, then either the battery is weak, or the starter, possibly bad battery cable connections, check and clean both ends of BOTH cables! Dissconnect negative(-) first, and put it on last! If no click the starter relay is no good! Try a jum start, hook black to black(-) and red to red, (+) Hook black up last.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No crank andonly clicking:

Could be one of the following-Battery and connections, starter, starter relay, transmission range sensor and ignition.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOBODEWEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2005 Ford Freestyle 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 63000 miles

Veh. Stalled while driving 35 mph. Coasted into parking lot. Starts in cranking mode but stalls in run mode. Replased fuel filter but same problem. Any Ideas?
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOBODEWEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
MAF sensor failed. Easy repair.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID GODSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 125,000 MILES
Battery is good and turns over but will not run. Changed the fuel filter was needed anyways acts like it is flooded. Acts like it wants to run but just turns over.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try resetting security system if no manual look online.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LADYANGIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
Recently bought this car about a month and a half ago, its been great until this morning, went out to start my car and it turned completely over as if it would start but it would never catch, I also noticed a clicking noise located near the passenger dash, I aslo noticed when just turning the key all the way over it made the clicking noise without trying to start.I let the car sit about a hour our so and went bout out, tried to start up the first time didnt work, but after giving gas and trying to start again the car started. The I noticed that with the car started when I turned my heat off, right at the dash it would click three times. Also noticed my passenger air bag sign is off is no longer visible.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
When the vehicle turns over but never starts is this there any warning light on? If the security system is armed or doesn't recognize the key it will allow the engine to crank over but not start.
Is there any warning lights on the instrument cluster when the engine is running (ie check engine light)?
I think the clicking and the no start issues are not related. Typically, I see this clicking from inside the vehicle behind the dash is this correct?
Make sure the battery terminal clamps are clean of corrosion and are tight, you should not be able to move them by hand.
Thanks for the question
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LADYANGIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When I tried to start vechicle no warning lights were on of any sort, actually one of the first things I did waS check the battery for any signs of corrosion and made sure Post were tight, everything check out, my dad told me maby I flooded the car when originally trying to start, but I assured him the car simply would not start from the first time. After car started all of sudden it has ran perfect the rest of the day. Also the car is up to date on oil change/ I also agree that the clicking noise is another issue not related to this, and yes the noise sounds like its behind the passenger dash, I noticed that when I cut the heat of it makes the clicking sound exactly 3 times this just also happed all of sudden today at the same time. And thank you soo much for your response
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
The next time the engine doesn't start try this. Closes all the doors and turn the key on engine off. Wiggle the ignition key in all direction with out turning the key to the next position. If this causes the lights on the instrument cluster to turn on or interior lights to flash/turn on I would suspect the ignition switch.

As for the clicking noise, with the key on engine running cycle the recirculate on and off and give about 5-10 second between time button is pressed. What I've seen is the recirculation door actuator (its a small motor that opens and closes the recirculation door) has small gears inside and these wear out causing the clicking noise. Remove or lower the glove box door complete and get the clicking noise to happen. Listen and feel and isolate the noise for the small actuator behind the glove box.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMPFIELD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Ok went on lunch at noon on thursday fine came back from lunch and 5:00 oclock told around time to get off went to start car and it would not start. Tried and tried to start it nothing, had my dad come out and try to jump it and nothing. We could not to much that night real cold we've been having negative degree wheather. Ok the next day I went in to work left early and tried to have a friend jump start me again with his truck stepping on his gas to get some power to my battery did this for about 15min and still nothing. So me and my friends started to try to figure out what the problem is. We first checked the pressure of the fuel pump by the valve under the hood turned egnition on and it shot out of the car, so we figuered it wasent the pump or filter. So then I borrowed a code reader pluged it in and all codes where good so we figuered its not eletrical (I hope not). So I thought it was the battery so went and had it tested and it was putting out 13 amps and only 450cca so it was bad bought a new one not that still will not start. We don't think its a coil pack cause it would still start right if one or two was bad I guess it would. We ruled out the alternater I guess its not that. Did all of these things and still will not start, I'm not car smart and never had a car problem till now. Any thoughts would be appreciated and really don't want to take to the garage if I don't need to will try to fix my self if possible. Thank You so much with your help.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try resetting security system if no manual look online
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACK MAUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD FREESTYLE
  • 148,000 MILES
Car acts like it has a dead battery, starts immediately when boosted, and will run normally after. When car is shut off will not start again without a boost. Headlights are strong and all controls work but car will not turn over. Solenoid clicks. Battery was replaced and problem disappeared but now has returned
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Have your battery tested
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM (Merged)

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