The troubleshooting game.

[JWC]

I'm resurrecting this thread...for the following reason:

Customer calls and says their new Explorer won't start, it won't even crank.  Warning lights come on when they turn the key, but nothing else happens.  Also, the key is stuck in the ignition. 

Since no wrecker driver was available and the customer was stuck at a elementary school, I decided to drive down to the school and see what I could do.  Half way there, it occurred me what the problem was.

Any guesses as to what the problem was and how I repaired it?

[VTEC_Inside]

Car wasn't in Park or Neutral?

You gave the driver a smack up side the head and said smarten up?

[Raghavan]

Car wasn't in Park or Neutral?

You gave the driver a smack up side the head and said smarten up?

My guess as well.
Our Accord does that though. Key gets stuck in the ignition. You have to wiggle the gear selector a couple of times before you can get the key out.

[JWC]

Car wasn't in Park or Neutral?

You gave the driver a smack up side the head and said smarten up?

Give the guy a cookie.

When I arrived, she started in about it being a new car etc.  I know her pretty well, so I sat in the driver's seat, saw the indicator was on "D" and said...lesson one...always move this thing here (pointing at lever) to the "park" position when you get out.  I shifted it into park and started it up.  She said, "oh my god, don't tell my husband".

[AutobahnSHO]

HAHHAHA
I did that once- I was leaving town in my dad's Taurus wagon and stopped because the weather was bad and I had to wipe the foot of snow off all the side windows.  It wouldnt start so I called my dad and he drove the 10miles to come help and I figured it out right before he got there...


(And don't tell anyone but this is easy to do in Humvees too- happens all the time, including to me...)

[S204STi]

Same thing happened last week in my wife's Focus, but the solution was not as quick and easy...any guesses?

[omicron]

The engine had fallen out?

[VTEC_Inside]

The engine had fallen out?

lol...

[heelntoe]

Same thing happened last week in my wife's Focus, but the solution was not as quick and easy...any guesses?

shifter broke while putting it into park?

[S204STi]

 

It wasn't as catastrophic, but it did require the use of a hammer.

[JWC]

Most of the Focus problems I see are stuck ignition lock cylinders.

[S204STi]

Most of the Focus problems I see are stuck ignition lock cylinders.

You got it.

[heelntoe]

You got it.

not fair, he works(used to?)  for a ford dealer.

[JWC]

Works for a Ford dealer...but still only a guess. 

[S204STi]

I new what it was right away, but when I was looking for instructions oh how-to on NoData, I found that Ford actually has a service bulletin on the subject...and, you guessed it, they recommend a new lock cylinder.

I'm good.

[heelntoe]

okay, here's something.
vehicle: 135cc scooter
problem: starter keeps cranking even when the key is in the off position. i had the starter relay replaced but it still comes back.

[AutobahnSHO]

okay, here's something.
vehicle: 135cc scooter
problem: starter keeps cranking even when the key is in the off position. i had the starter relay replaced but it still comes back.

The ignition switch is grounding out??

[S204STi]

Starter solenoid sticks on?

[JWC]

The ignition switch is grounding out??

My guess also.

[VTEC_Inside]

Starter solenoid sticks on?

My guess too....

[heelntoe]

it's not the solenoid. i had the starter removed and cleaned of all the carbon deposits and such. it might be the switch though, as it is, the switch only works if i hold it in a certain position. thanks guys.

[JWC]

Here is one from today:

2002 F150  AM/FM CD/Casette combo
Fender mount antenna
Used trade-in

Tech comes up and says that the radio will not seek stations...with the seek function it can only find and hold two.  If he maually runs through the stations,  the radio appears to work and receive signals just fine.

Guess as to the cause?

[AutobahnSHO]

Here is one from today:

2002 F150? AM/FM CD/Casette combo
Fender mount antenna
Used trade-in

Tech comes up and says that the radio will not seek stations...with the seek function it can only find and hold two.? If he maually runs through the stations,? the radio appears to work and receive signals just fine.

Guess as to the cause?

GUESSES ONLY:

-You're not getting good enough signal for the radio to lock on.  Good enough to listen to the stations, but not strong enough for the "seek" to find them.
SO
-check antenna isn't broken inside (take it off, check continuity??)
-check that all is plugged in ok, that antenna wiring isn't busted

-or replace head unit, check if it works then.

[JWC]

Well, you covered all the bases, there. 

Tech's diagnosis, because it received stations OK, but just didn't scan was the head unit.  Ordering a replacement was 600.00 from Ford.

My suggestion, check the antenna coax and make sure it was plugged in completely.  Reasoning behind that thought was that it was a trade-in and may not have had the factory radio at one time.

The verdict...

The coax cable had been pulled loose under the dash.  There was enough of a lead for the radio to receive stations, but on seek, wasn't picking up enough of the signal to stop for the seek function to hold a station.

[Raza]

Okay, try this:

Starter button:
One prod and the engine kicks and then dies.  The engine then starts on the second prod.  Was the button just not pressed hard enough, or is there a problem with the starter button?

[JWC]

What kind of car?

[Raza]

What kind of car?

Lexus ES350.

[heelntoe]

i thought you were supposed to hold the button like you hold the key.

[JWC]

i thought you were supposed to hold the button like you hold the key.

Generally you do.  Crank sensors have to pick up the signal before the engine can start.

This is why I asked what kind of car.  Hitting the button once may not be enough time for engine sensors to register to the pcm and allow it to start.

[AutobahnSHO]

Well, you covered all the bases, there.?

Tech's diagnosis, because it received stations OK, but just didn't scan was the head unit.? Ordering a replacement was 600.00 from Ford.

My suggestion, check the antenna coax and make sure it was plugged in completely.? Reasoning behind that thought was that it was a trade-in and may not have had the factory radio at one time.

The verdict...

The coax cable had been pulled loose under the dash.? There was enough of a lead for the radio to receive stations, but on seek, wasn't picking up enough of the signal to stop for the seek function to hold a station.

LOL
It had to be SOMETHING. 

I was still in training at Fort Gordon in 2001 when we (and the instructors!) spent HOURS trying to figure out why we could't get a radio link to work.  40watt radios, about 100yards apart.  Basically we could point the dishes (look like large directtv dishes) AWAY from each other and we should have been able to lock up the modems, but 

I was just sitting outside to get a break and was staring at one of the dishes, I followed the cable down and realized it wasn't plugged in to the radio... 

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Oftentimes radios can get a partial signal even if things aren't connected all the way-