Installed Radio now Mountaineer Won't Start

[mdelcour]

The other day I bought a new (factory) radio for my 1998 Mountaineer. Now, the engine turns over but won't start.

Today, I went out to look at it, and opened the back hatch. The amber lights and tail lights came on. I looked at it weird, and thought ok, it will shut off. I went ahead and went inside and took a shower, came back out and the lights were still on. I pulled the battery cable so that it didn't drain the battery.

The mountaineer still won't start. The engine was changed back in March, but has ran like a top until I change out the radio. Any ideas?


Also I might add, that day before yesterday I was driving it at work. I went to go into work and noticed that the keyfob had quit working. I attempted to put the car into programming mode to reset the keyfob (which I have done numerous times before), and it wouldn't recognize the keyfob (ok, maybe the battery in the keyfob is dead, who knows), however now, that Mountaineer will not go into program mode.

 

[mdelcour]

Well fixed my problem with the Daytime Running Lights. Had to pull the fuse for the DRL System.

Mountaineer still won't start however. Theft light flashes rapidly until I turn the key to the on position then it goes away. From what I've searched I guess that's normal operation.

I really need help here if anyone knows a solution. I took the radio out and "unwired" to see if this might be the problem...no dice.

More info: This started about a week ago. The car would run fine then would not start, we would wait a couple of mins and then it would start just fine. Thinking there might be water in the gas, I added some HEET. As soon as I added it, car started and ran for about 4 days with no problems. Then I went out to go to work on Wedneday morning, and nothing. It won't start for anything.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Theft light shouldn't flash like that, I think somehow the PATS system isn't connected with your key anymore, or there is an electrical issue. The taillights shouldn't go on when you open the hatch. Something is going on...

 

[mdelcour]

So I'm guessing that I have to have it towed to the Ford Dealership to be fixed? Or is there another way to program the key? I only have the one key.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'm not sure that the PATS is the issue though, because of the taillights. This could honestly be a wickedly confusing and complicated wiring issue. I would start by checking every single wire that you were working with during the radio swap, then fuses and relays.

 

[mdelcour]

Please forgive my ignorance.

I uninstalled the radio. I unwired everything.

Is there another fuse box that I am unaware of? I only know of the one on the side of the dash board (drivers side).

I don't even know if installing the radio had anything to do with what is going on right now.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Maybe not the radio directly, but the wiring may have caused a short in the system somewhere else. There is also a power distribution box under the hood, drivers side on the fender. If it is PATS, it would need to go to the dealer though, but have to check the obvious first. Have you tried to read/are there any codes at all?

 

[mdelcour]

The Mountainner now starts great and will run for about a week, then it will not start again. Does this off and on. Sounds weird doesn't it?

 

[mlochala]

The Mountainner now starts great and will run for about a week, then it will not start again. Does this off and on. Sounds weird doesn't it?

Just a shot in the dark here, but are you sure it's getting fuel when it won't start? Could be a failing fuel pump. I had a truck that did that intermittently until finally the fuel pump gave up once and for all.

Again, it's just a thought. I could be way off base, but coincidentally I just replaced the fuel pump in my wife's 1998 Mountaineer.

 

[mdelcour]

It won't start at all now. When I turn the key I can hear a click I'm the dashboard but that's it. The vehicle doesn't even try to turn over. Any
Ideas?

 

[mdelcour]

Btw the fuel pump does kick on when I turn the key on.

 

[Zack1978]

Well I would say that the fuel pump is going as well. My 99 SOHC did the exact same things, hard starting, then finally didn't start at all. It was the fuel pump. With that said you still deal with the weird tail light issues, so you may have some odd electrical issue.


Zack

 

[ttbit]

Well if it is not turning over (cranking) when you turn the key, it might be in your starter circuit. Maybe a starter, maybe the switch in your transmission that tells it you are in park or neutral. Maybe try starting it in neutral instead of park?

If it is cranking and not starting then a fuel pump is pretty common. You can hook up a fuel pressure gauge to the intake line and see if you are getting pressure. You mentioned other electrical issues before though, so it could be more complicated.