No crank, no start on 2004

[SRHill]

Sometimes my Sport Trac will start four times just fine, and then it won't. A few hours later it starts again, runs fine, will start three or four times and then it won't. New battery, it is not the key issue. I had this problem with an Oldsmobile Bravada that turned out to be a stereo, professionally installed, that was taking power from the wrong source (even though of course the stereo guys denied it could be because of their installation, $300 later at a mechanic it was fixed). I am trying to start small (the battery was a bit dodgy) and not go all out and I am also trying to learn more about the vehicle instead of running to a mechanic for simple fixes. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[SRHill]

Could this be the transmission range sensor?

 

[david4451]

My ST did this, engine cold started no problem, go to town and parked came back then nothing no crank just no response from starter motor when engine warm.
This condition was not always there, but if it occured the engine was 90% of the time warm( ie it had stood for 1 to 2 hours) and cold it always started OK.
The battery was good, maybe 6 months old.
My fix was removing starter motor, put new brushes bearing and starter dog and new starter solenoid.
I also made sure that the positive wire from battery had good contact with the new solenoid.
That was one year ago and I have not had a reoccurrence of the non start since.
As a first response you should disconnect battery, remove starter and clean the contacts on the solenoid really really well to confirm if this is your problem or not.

My conclusion to this problem is when engine was warm the resistance in the wires was high and not enough current was available to turn over starter motor, along with extra resistance in old brushes and old solenoid.
As a quick check, when it's not starting, when you try to crank engine do interior lights dim, if so it is probably bad starter connections, solenoid ect.

 

[SRHill]

Thank you very much for the reply. I was resurrecting another vehicle. I will look into this, thank you!