My Sport Trac is possessed!

[geneticfreak]

The strangest thing happened to me today when I got home. I parked and turned off my truck just like any other day, got out and went for the mailbox. As I was retrieving my mail from the mailbox, my truck started on it's own! My wife was walking up the walkway and turned in disbelief. My remote would not unlock the doors, but the keyless keypad worked. I got in and put my key in the ignition, which was in the off position, and turned it to on then back to off, but the engine kept running. Not knowing what to do, I put it in reverse, backed up a few feet, then pulled back into my parking space. After putting it back in park, I turned the key to the off position and the engine shut off.

This is the strangest thing I have ever seen with a vehicle. Has anyone else ever experienced this, and what could possibly cause it?

 

[IZwack]

If it starts up again and stops after a few minutes of running, then perhaps the starter is being shorted somewhere cranking the engine.

 

[John_Rock]

If it starts up again and stops after a few minutes of running, then perhaps the starter is being shorted somewhere cranking the engine.

Um, even if the starter cranked the engine, with the key out and in the off position, it shouldn't run. Do you live on an old Indian burial ground?

 

[IZwack]

Um, even if the starter cranked the engine, with the key out and in the off position, it shouldn't run.

You're right -- forgot about the FI stuff.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Maybe it has a remote start installed on it?

 

[geneticfreak]

I bought it used a few years ago and never had this happen before. To my knowledge, it does not have a remote starter installed and the only remote I have is the factory one.

Satan's Explorer has me baffled.

 

[John_Rock]

Well, if you bought it used. Then the likely reason it did that is because you have a remote start system installed. Maybe the keyfob for it is gone. But, it received a signal it thought was a start command.

 

[geneticfreak]

It would surprise me if there is a remote start installed since everything else on it was stock, but any ideas on where to look for it if there is one is installed?

 

[yfzut]

no it just dont know what it is a truck or a car. should have got a explorer.

 

[IZwack]

yfzut >> please stay on topic and make your statements as clear as possible so we can understand your thoughts and reasons.

 

[John_Rock]

Anyways, I believe the Ford remote start actually needs to have an extra key up under the dash because of the PATS security system. A few years back, I had one installed that didn't need an extra key. Either way, there is probably some module up under the dash and maybe a key taped somewhere.

 

[hdt]

it could be a bad relay or starter sillanoid. sorry for the spelling. maybe a bad switch. my 64 ford did it once and i replaced the swith and the starter sillanoid. also try asking at. www.mysporttrac.com

 

[IZwack]

it could be a bad relay or starter sillanoid. sorry for the spelling. maybe a bad switch. my 64 ford did it once and i replaced the swith and the starter sillanoid. also try asking at. www.mysporttrac.com

As Johnstone stated, its not likely the starter because even if the block cranked, the fuel injectors will not dump fuel.

 

[Gsxrwrench]

it really sounds like a remote start issue. with the key switch off, the vehicle has no IGN power to anything, including the ECU. Something has to signal the ECU to feed ignition voltage to the FI, and the Ignition system for the timing on the motor. The only thing that could really do that would be the moduole for a remote start. Probably hidden under the dash above the steering column. Dealership probably didnt even know it was there.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, look carefully around the steering column. All remote starters access the main wiring at the steering column, where the actual ignition switch is. If you find one, then it may have malfunctioned at some time before, and was not advertised. If so I'd remove it. Good luck,

 

[4LO 4.0]

When i bought mytruck (used) the seller said nothing about a remote start. One day at work a couple of months later my truck just started running and i was like WTF! I could not figure it out then a while later playing around with the keyless entry it happened again, held the lock and unlock buttons at the same time and I got remote start yeah! Also where you scan the DCT codes behind the pop off door there is a toggle switch that turns the system off. The previous owner never mentioned anything about it and i bought it private party