Intermittent starting issue.

[kelecht]

I have a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer 4.6 AWD. runs fine when it starts. sometimes it doesn't start/turnover or even click, other times starts right up. after much frustration trying to find actual problem, I installed a new starter and new battery, starter relay, cleaned all connections(waste of time). it starts then it dosen't. I believe it may be something to do with the anti-thief system but I don't know. I can turn the key on when it's not starting and make a connection across the solenoid and it starts. so I know it's somewere between the key and the solenoid. Anyone have any ideas???
Thanks,
Ted K

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 2002-2005 section. Do you have another PATS key? Do you have an aftermarket alarm system installed?

 

[kelecht]

intermediate starting problem

Thanks for the quick reply. I have 2 keys and have tried both when it doesn't start with no luck. The one key is not original, we got it at a dealership a few months ago. I thought that new key may have caused the problem when they programed the new key, so I called the ford dealership and they said that wouldn't be the problem, but didn't have an answer without bringing it in.
I bought this for my wife a year ago I dont see any aftermarket alarm sys. there is a small horn shaped speaker under the master cylinder.
Thanks

 

[Javadog123]

buy an after market push start button and wire it up to the starter.

 

[kelecht]

are you suggesting this because you had the same problem? I'd like to find the problem and fix it. That would be a good solution if I had no other choice. Appreciate the feedback. Thanks

 

[Javadog123]

didn't have the same problem, but I have torn apart more than one wiring harness and it wasn't fun. It could be your ignition switch also, but I like quick and easy fixes. time and money are always in short supply

 

[pet575]

I installed a new starter and new battery, starter relay, cleaned all connections(waste of time).

Did you replace all of the cables as well? I had the same problem and my cables all looked fine and I also cleaned the connections and it didn't help. I replaced all the cables and cut the old ones in pieces to check them on the inside. Two of them were full of an unbelievable amount of corrosion.