2 part challenge here/need some help

DannyD · Dec 3, 2010

Scenario:

I took my van to a pickup. While waiting to get loaded I shut it off. They loaded me, did the paperwork etc. When I start it to leave the thing doesn't start. They call security & in the meantime I'm trying to start a few times. Before security actually got to me, my van started. This was maybe 10 minutes after it didn't start. I tried I'm guessing 5 times in that 10 minutes.

I've taken it to the mechanic. They thought it would be a loose wire in the starter while on the phone to set the appointment. That would have made sense because I got a new starter a few months ago. They checked that + some other things & can't find anything wrong. He's a well respected mechanic in this area w/ 35+ years experience. I made the appointment Monday & he was booked until Friday. So I'm not taking it to some hack. He told me "we can't really fix anything if nothing's wrong."

This situation is kinda similar to the Yesteryear situation w/ the lights. I felt she should have probed that a bit deeper. Now it's my turn. HOW do I probe this a bit deeper? Take it to someone else is my first thought. Any other ideas?

Obviously something's wrong if the van isn't starting 100% of the time. I don't want to be in some other state, or for that matter even locally here, & not have it start & this time not start for good.

Also, would anyone have any idea of what the problem might be? My van is a 2000 Ford E-250.

bluejaybee · Dec 3, 2010

DannyD said:
Scenario:

I took my van to a pickup. While waiting to get loaded I shut it off. They loaded me, did the paperwork etc. When I start it to leave the thing doesn't start. They call security & in the meantime I'm trying to start a few times. Before security actually got to me, my van started. This was maybe 10 minutes after it didn't start. I tried I'm guessing 5 times in that 10 minutes.

I've taken it to the mechanic. They thought it would be a loose wire in the starter while on the phone to set the appointment. That would have made sense because I got a new starter a few months ago. They checked that + some other things & can't find anything wrong. He's a well respected mechanic in this area w/ 35+ years experience. I made the appointment Monday & he was booked until Friday. So I'm not taking it to some hack. He told me "we can't really fix anything if nothing's wrong."

This situation is kinda similar to the Yesteryear situation w/ the lights. I felt she should have probed that a bit deeper. Now it's my turn. HOW do I probe this a bit deeper? Take it to someone else is my first thought. Any other ideas?

Obviously something's wrong if the van isn't starting 100% of the time. I don't want to be in some other state, or for that matter even locally here, & not have it start & this time not start for good.

Also, would anyone have any idea of what the problem might be? My van is a 2000 Ford E-250.

My first thought is if it was replaced a few months back and you can't find a loose wire or connection, then I'd see if they would warranty it. Chances are great that it is the starter. Were it mine, I'd put another starter on it and have that behind me. Then if it does it again, you could be fairly sure it is not the starter and look for problem elsewhere.

davekc · Dec 3, 2010

Put a meter on the starter connection and then at the ignition to ensure it isn't the ignition or a bad ground as the problem. If that is ok, pull the starter and bench test it and the solenoid. One or both could have an issue. A bad spring in the solenoid or a bad armature or brushes in the starter would be symptomatic of your intermittent problems. These are more prevalent in starters that are rebuilt verses a new or remanufactured one.
One other distant shot is to test the voltage regulator since it is a Ford.

RLENT · Dec 3, 2010

What happens when you turn the key to the "Start" position - starter not spin ?

If so, it could be a Neutral Safety Switch (jiggle/move the gearshift arm/lever)

Wolfeman68 · Dec 3, 2010

DannyD said:
Scenario:

I took my van to a pickup. While waiting to get loaded I shut it off. They loaded me, did the paperwork etc. When I start it to leave the thing doesn't start. They call security & in the meantime I'm trying to start a few times. Before security actually got to me, my van started. This was maybe 10 minutes after it didn't start. I tried I'm guessing 5 times in that 10 minutes.

I've taken it to the mechanic. They thought it would be a loose wire in the starter while on the phone to set the appointment. That would have made sense because I got a new starter a few months ago. They checked that + some other things & can't find anything wrong. He's a well respected mechanic in this area w/ 35+ years experience. I made the appointment Monday & he was booked until Friday. So I'm not taking it to some hack. He told me "we can't really fix anything if nothing's wrong."

This situation is kinda similar to the Yesteryear situation w/ the lights. I felt she should have probed that a bit deeper. Now it's my turn. HOW do I probe this a bit deeper? Take it to someone else is my first thought. Any other ideas?

Obviously something's wrong if the van isn't starting 100% of the time. I don't want to be in some other state, or for that matter even locally here, & not have it start & this time not start for good.

Also, would anyone have any idea of what the problem might be? My van is a 2000 Ford E-250.

If the problem you're having is that when you turn the key to start nothing happens, you can turn on the interior lights and try to start it again. If the interior lights do not dim at all when you turn the key to start, and the starter doesn't operate, you probably aren't energizing the starter solenoid. The ignition switch, starter relay, neutral safety switch, starter solenoid, or wiring between these items could be at fault. Move the gearshift from park to neutral and try to start it again. If it starts, the neutral safety switch or its wiring is probably the source of the problem.

If the interior lights go very dim or go out when you hit the starter, you are probably energizing the starter solenoid, but there is not sufficient power to operate the starter motor. Check the battery cables or the battery. The starter motor could also have a "high" spot that drags when the starter swells internally from heat. When it cools a little it frees up and the motor spins again.

Your mechanic is right. If he can't duplicate the problem, he can't accurately fix it. When it happens again, these little checks can point him in the right direction.

Good Luck.

davekc · Dec 3, 2010

If it by chance could be the neutral safety switch, try starting it in neutral. That problem will also surface at the ignition test with a meter on it.

BillChaffey · Dec 3, 2010

I would clean all Battery terminals and make sure I had clean tight connections before anything else.

guido4475 · Dec 3, 2010

The voltage regulator on a Ford is on the back of the alternator.There is another solenoid in addition to the one on the starter on the passenger side fender, in the front corner,behind the battery.Check that, and they also had a problem with the positive wire going from that to the starter, acording to my Ford dealer mechanic freind.

DannyD · Dec 6, 2010

I wanted to thank those who replied. He's going to look at it again today & if he doesn't find it I'll bring up some of the things I read on here.

I meant to thank ya's earlier but watched the college games on Saturday & then Sunday my internet was down. So once again, thanx.

greg334 · Dec 6, 2010

Just have him replace the starter. If there isn't a sign that he can see, that is the first part that should be replaced. If he is as good as you claim, then he will know exactly what this means - starters are rebuilt in mass, there are a lot of issues with more than 35% of them.