No Crank No Start After Transmission Swap?

2010 FORD F-150

200,000 MILES • 5.4L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC

JOEMILLER5217

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The truck listed above is a Lariat. I bought a used transmission (VIN matching according to supplier) and had it installed by a family friend.

Once I insert the key, I get power throughout the truck and the dash moves, but it will not turn over. Nor will the floor shifter move out of park.

I am able to manually shift the linkage from underneath the vehicle, and even bump start the truck from down there as well.

Oct 4, 2022 at 1:58 AM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,267 POSTS

It sounds like the gear range sensor is not plugged in completely or the sensor is bad. here is the location of the sensor so you can check it out also I have included the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Make sure you check all fuses as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to enlarge)

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Oct 4, 2022 at 5:12 AM

JOEMILLER5217

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The shop diagnosis came back as a faulty range sensor. It is constantly reading the truck is in third gear, causing the no start. From my understanding it is internal. The vehicle is being taken to a transmission shop.

Oct 4, 2022 at 8:07 AM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,267 POSTS

Yep, it the gear range sensor is not internal. Check out the first image on the post above it shows the sensor.

Oct 5, 2022 at 9:35 AM

JOEMILLER5217

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Okay, still on a goose chase here it seems. The transmission shop came back with the following:

-Gear range sensor is good.
-We are now able to move the gear selector through all gears. (The floor shifter lock was apparently caused by a security lock. Needed lock smith).
- Still no start/crank

They stated the transmission module from my original transmission is needed to program this one correctly... And quoted me $2,200.00 to for a new module and install.

Again, the only issue now is no start/crank.

Oct 6, 2022 at 1:22 AM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,267 POSTS

You can try a hard reboot which is done by removing the negative side of the battery, with the cable loose from the negative side of the battery, hold it to the positive terminal for 1 minute this will discharge the memory capacitors in the BCM and PCM allowing the system to reboot.

Oct 6, 2022 at 4:32 AM

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