2016 Sport...Dead in the driveway...

[RealtorMatt]

Let me start out by saying that this forum has been amazing to read and really helped me decide to get an Explorer. It has been a great resource for all of the little issues that I have had, but now I am at a loss.

Today, when I started the truck up I was met with a loud noise that wouldn't stop that sounded like the starter. I backed the car out of the garage so I could pop the hood and check it out. When I got into a good spot I tried to shut the car off and engine shut off and sound continued. Without my foot on the brake pedal, I pushed the start button and it started immediately. I could NOT shut the car off completely. As I was getting some tools to disconnect the battery I could smell a ver bad burning smell. Suddenly the noise stopped and I decided to shut the car off to avoid any other issues. The car will no longer start. I assume that the starter is destroyed.

I have tried to find a dealership to have it towed to, and despite the dealerships offering loaners, none of them apparently have any available for three weeks. I have called Ford Customer Care and have been told that they can only try to talk to the dealers and see what they say.

I am now stuck without a car and cannot call roadside until I know where I can get a loaner...

This particular car has had a litany of issues including a check engine light that ultimately after two weeks in the shop was fixed by replacing the o2 sensors and the main computer. The trim on the driver side door(with the keypad) actually fell off while driving down the highway.

I am at a loss and am mainly venting at this point. I love this car, but it has been one of the most disappointing ownership experiences I have ever had with a car.

If anyone has experienced this apparent starter issue I would love to know more before it gets to a dealer.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
Since neither For nor the dealer is obliged to supply a loaner under the Warranty Guidelines you could be in a tight spot. If you had the ESP with 1st day rental then you could possibly rent a car and get reimbursed for it. You could always ask if that is a possibility in your case and hope you get a sympathetic ear on the other end.

Peter

 

[RealtorMatt]

Welcome to the Forum.
Since neither For nor the dealer is obliged to supply a loaner under the Warranty Guidelines you could be in a tight spot. If you had the ESP with 1st day rental then you could possibly rent a car and get reimbursed for it. You could always ask if that is a possibility in your case and hope you get a sympathetic ear on the other end.

Peter

Sadly, I'm very aware of the warranty guidelines due to all of the other issues that I have had so far. I have a feeling that Ford will at least cover a rental at this point, but the number of issues that I am having in less than a year make me very worried about long-term viability of this particular car.

Since my original post, I was told that they hope to have a solution figured out on Monday....hopefully the starter issue will be a quick fix.

 

[peterk9]

Sadly, I'm very aware of the warranty guidelines due to all of the other issues that I have had so far. I have a feeling that Ford will at least cover a rental at this point, but the number of issues that I am having in less than a year make me very worried about long-term viability of this particular car.

Since my original post, I was told that they hope to have a solution figured out on Monday....hopefully the starter issue will be a quick fix.

Just read another new thread where the member can't get his 2012 to shut off!

 

[kmarnes]

That sounded like a totally different problem (no push button) and his key wouldn't register turning off. RealtorMatt's problem on the surface sounds like his starter shorted out and wouldn't stop until it fried itself.

 

[Napalm]

first off sorry for your issues I know it sucks.

second - make sure you have your various repairs full documented as you should probably consider lemon law possibility.

third - let me recap some things and make sure I'm reading your whole issue right. The car has been in the shop a few times for various things, one of which resulted in replacement of both O2 sensors? and another replacement of the ECU (engine control unit or computer)? Has the Body Control Module been replaced or at least fully tested?

Was the sound more grinding when the engine was running or just whirring? if metalic grinding I'd say your starter is shot and I'd be worried the flywheel it damaged.

if whirring I'd say the motor spun and either over heated or the relay gave out. There is usually a protection circult on newer cars that stops the starter circuit if the motor get too hot, or if it runs for too long at a time. I'm not 100% sure how ford does it - but I'm positive they do something. Either way you might find in a hour or so you can re- start the car. or after a battery cable pull - and reattach you might be able to start the car. If however it makes not attempt to spin - then well the starter or it's relay is dead.

you can check the relay - and also check the fuse. it pulls enough current that it has it's own fuse - I believe 30 amp, anyway it's under the hood in that bigger fuse box. look for starter. there should be it's own relay as well - it should also have an amp rating. Fuse - clean top usually and you'll know if it's blown. check that, easy find at some auto store.

blow fuse that's new is oft indicative of some other wiring issue or control issue but it might get you started and moving for a while.


relay - they can go bad - like anything else - also can be found, should also have a clear amp rating on it body - or cross referenced via part number. those you might have to get from the dealer - but again. it might get you started in a hurry for a while but I would want the car checked out with a scanner and maybe the basic troubleshooting steps in the manual. (here I mean put meter to wires and test).

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[RealtorMatt]

I actually just received a call from the dealer....apparently, the starter is needing to be replaced. A "circuit", their words not mine also needs to be replaced(they may be talking about the relay). I can't wait to see what the write-up of the repair says. There was a very foul burning smell when the whirring finally stopped.

When it initially failed there was a loud whirring noise that almost sounded like a fan...I actually took video of it, I will have to see if I can upload it. I thought, like Napalm, that letting it sit may help. Between the time it occurred and when the tow truck finally got here it was 5 hours and I tried to restart it many time over that time with no luck.

One thing I would like to add, is that over the week prior to the starter failure, I heard the starter screech twice when the car started. I was planning to have it checked out at my next oil change, which was going to be some point this week or next.

On the plus side the dealer did figure out a loaner for me and overall has been great so far.

 

[blwnsmoke]

My guess is the teeth on the starter stripped so when you went to start it, it spun at a ridiculously high rpm which sounds like a high pitched ZZZZZZZZZ-ZZZZZZZ

 

[Napalm]

now the worry - what's causing to engage at the wrong time or worse - maintain engagement. sounds like a control fault (ecu) or a wiring fault (shorted harness).

that just shouldn't happen.

 

[Napalm]

My guess is the teeth on the starter stripped so when you went to start it, it spun at a ridiculously high rpm which sounds like a high pitched ZZZZZZZZZ-ZZZZZZZ

Indeed by all means before they give oyu back the car make sure they take the starter off - check the flywheel teeth and turn the motor to verify there aren't pieces missing.

usually - not always - the starter cog is meant to jump off the flywheel teeth such as to damage it self not the flywheel. however, nothing man made is perfect.

 

[Napalm]

any update.

I'm curious - hope it works out well.

 

[RealtorMatt]

I just brought the truck home and everything is fixed...for now.

The starter was completely shot, so it was replaced. The other item replaced with the starter repair is listed as "Circuit 752944". The service adviser could only tell me that it was part of the starter system. The cause on the printout states that it was a shorted battery. Apparently, the battery was also replaced. I do find it odd that I had no battery issues that I knew of. Even after the starter went out, everything electrical worked on accessory power.

The tech said that nobody could believe the amount of repairs that I have had so far and that they looked everywhere they could for evidence of rodents, just to make sure I didn't have a mouse chewing on wires and causing issues.

They also fixed the trim that fell off the side of the car and replaced the broken seat belt buckle.

Overall, I was really impressed with the dealer.(Covert Ford in Austin, TX)

I can't wait to see what the next issue will be!

 

[Napalm]

probably replaced the battery because they tested it and it failed the capacity test. Whirring that starter as hard as it did probably boiled the electrolyte and while it might have voltage for a short time - it wouldn't have lasted long.

good on them for doing that - provided they really did replace the battery, as opposed to just telling you they did.

Good luck glad it was a relatively quick fix.