intermittent starting issue 05

[gharmon33]

HI I have an 05 sport trac base model. I guess xl model. It doesnt even have cruise or power anthing (minus windows). I bought this truck for $200.00 not running. Spent about $100 to fix the spun harmonic balancer. I gave the truck to my dad to drive and he has been driving if for about 2.5 years with no problems. Well the transmission did seem to go out for about a month. Then miraciously it fixed itself and was driving fine again (not sure what that was).

Now, the problem is intermittent starting issues. He goes out to start and the lights come on but doesnt clink or bump over or anything. I changed the switch and thought that was it. It was odd as the truck is an 25 for sure but the switch was definitely an 04 version. They are built totally different. It fired right up, so we assumed it was fixed. Not any hour after I left it failed to start again. It is like trying to start the car while in a gear other than park or neutral.

I am almost sure it doesn't have a theft system and its a normal old style key with no fob. Any ideas to try.
I will mention that when it fails to crank the the o/d light in the right bottom corner flashes like all zeros and when it cranks it does what it's supposed to do. Thats how he know when its going to crank and run vs doing nothing.

Any help appreciated,

Gerald Harmon

 

[oklagp1200r]

If you put it in neutral will it crank?

 

[gharmon33]

If you put it in neutral will it crank?

No, it doesnt. Everything still powers on but no click or anything.

 

[oklagp1200r]

Theft light flashing?

 

[parkerlansing]

Late to this thread, but I had a similar issue on my 2003 XLT. My ground strap was corroded and worn through, so it was only making intermittent contact. I replaced the strap and haven't had the problem since.