Why is my 2006 f150 not starting sometimes?

Asked by Kristen Dec 14, 2015 at 09:53 PM about the 2006 Ford F-150 XL

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 2006 f150 v6 4.2L is having starter
issues.  What happens is I turn it and it
makes a sound (not a cranking sound)
then i take the key out and try again and
it does nothing ( no sound or anything)
then I take the key out put it back in and
then it will start. About every other day it
does this. The more I drive it less it does
it. Once it starts it runs and sounds fine. I
just bought this truck and I've had a jeep
for 8 years so I'm not too familiar with it.
Is this a starter? The lights and
everything else are bright and not dim so
I don't think it's my alternator. It has
always started and I haven't had to get a
jump yet but it's been going on and off
for about 3 weeks, when it's warm it
starts fine. Does anyone know what this
is?!!

3 Answers

1,785

You should have the battery load tested at the the local parts store, for good measure. I suspect the starter. But i would have someone climb under the vehicle,ENGINE OFF, and check that the main battery wire is tight. There is a nut that sometimes works loose on Ford trucks. If that is okay then the starter probably has a dead spot in it and needs replacement.

3 people found this helpful.
14,455

As sherriftech stated you may have a starter issue.Since the lights are bright the battery should have a good charge. do have the battery terminals checked for corrosion and load tested for a dead cell. Find the easiest mounting bolt on the starter loosen then tightened it to provide a good path for the electricity to flow. If you can use a volt meter across the battery terminals and watch the voltage when starting the engine, it should drop about 2 volts if all other things are good. Keep it as simple as possible

2 people found this helpful.
74,200

When the vehicle will not start, try jumping it via cables. If it starts you can have a bad connection at the battery or the vehicle battery has 12 volts, but not the amperage required to start the vehicle.

2 people found this helpful.

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