2002 Ford F-150: won't start

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · TX

This is the second occurrence of this nature. The previous happened approximately in july of 2014. At that time the dealership said that the key was the problem and I paid for a new key and everything has been good until ~ 1/4/15. This time, the pats (anti-theft) system triggered and rendered the vehicle useless. After ~ 45 minutes it eventually started and I drove it to the dealership. It was there for 2 days and they couldn't get the system to trigger. Therefore, they had me come pick up the vehicle. Two days later, the vehicle rendered itself useless again through the pats system. The vehicle wouldn't start for 2 days as I tried to start it periodically as I was instructed by the dealership. Finally it started on the 3rd morning. When I originally took the truck in the two guys at the dealership said that this is a common problem in this year model. In fact when I told him of the issue I was having, the service manager asked if I had a 2002 f150. We had a good laugh when I said "yes, and that isn't a good sign that you know that- without seeing my vehicle." he explained that the tilt mechanism in the steering column damages the wire that runs from the key transponder area to the sending unit that tells the engine that this is the correct key. This was the night that they kept the truck for 2 days. This is a situation where a perfect operational vehicle is not functioning because of a chaffed wire or the wire has been pulled from its soldering point. I am the owner, yet I have the same chance of starting that truck as a car thief. It makes no sense. This didn't seem like a safety issue to me until I was stranded for 45 minutes in a parking lot and it was extremely cold. I envisioned someone turning their car/truck off for some reason in a place where the temp was well below freezing and freezing to death because this system has been triggered.

Filed Feb 15, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 186,498 miles · LA

My 2002 ford f150 xlt sup cab 4wd v8 has been acting up for a month or so it started by acting like it had a dead battery but that wasn't it we used 2 new battery's in it so the local mechanic shop showed us how to remove the hot post have the truck turned on but not cranked and when you replace the hot post watch for the RPM to race to the highest then back down to 0 then crank it this is a two man job by the way and it worked then it just stopped needing to be done and has been running fine I drove it on tuesday no problems and today friday someone came inside and told me the truck was cranking on its own I had the only set of keys in my pocket so I thought impossible well I went to check and sure enough it was trying to start on its own I got into the truck and tried to crank it but it wouldn't start on my 3rd try it turned over but sounded like the starter was banging into something and now that I have read multiple cases where peoples truck has caught on fire while no one was in it and it had not been driven in a few days I wonder if there truck had tried to start on its own and they just didn't know it im going to call ford motor company tomorrow but the people whose trucks caught on fire got no help from them im hoping they will help me before my truck catches on fire its undriveable at this point but a fire would not only destroy any chance of fixing it but the damage the truck could cause to other things or people around it would be irreversible has anyone else had there truck to crank without a person or key near it ? Here's hoping ford motor company cares about there customers.

Filed May 5, 2011 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NY

My husband purchased a used 2002 f150 ford truck back in 2004. In the past 3 years, the truck has major electrical issues every time it rains for more than 2 days straight. It starts with the radio shutting off while driving. Next the wipers will not work then the power windows wont open. Each time he gets in and out of his car, another electrical feature will not work. Finally, when he gets in to start his car and it won't turn over. In april 2009, he has the electrical sensor in the gem model replaced. On april 28th 2010, he had to have the multifunctional fuse box replaced. In march 2011, he had a new battery installed. Today he is waiting for aaa to jump his car as it won't start. I called the dealer who informed me that their are no known recalls for this issue. We were told by another dealer that it sounds like water is getting into the fuse box module due to the front window not being properly sealed .

Filed Sep 26, 2008 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · IN

Intermittent starting problem caused by the anti theft unit in that it won't allow the truck to start. If allowed to sit for an hour or so it usually starts. Ford dealerships say that they have to have it when the problem is occurring. Well, now the problem seems permanent, as it won't start at all. When asked if system can be turned off they say "no, it is a safety issue" their safety issue has put me in peril on more than one occasion. One being on a boat ramp with rising water and a vehicle that won't start. How safe is that? The vehicle is at the dealer now, and they tell me they must duplicate the not starting so they can see what's wrong, in fact it is not starting.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 410,000 miles · MI

Vehicle dash lights would stay on when vehicle off. Door locks would lock and unlock by themselves while driving. And while the truck was off. Vehicle would be completely dead when go to start. After replacing with a new battery, truck would not start. Had a tow truck come and when he tried to start it, it started right up. After he shut off, it was completely dead would not start. Took truck to garage. It took mechanics 5 hours to find the problem. After checking all the relays and fuse boxes, etc. It ended up to be the fusebox under the dash. The fusebox was corroded and deteriorating due to water damage, which was causing the electrical problems. The mechanic said there was some type of leak from the windshield causing water to enter the fusebox. Thus causing the fusebox damage. The mechanics replaced the fusebox and a relay. I do have the old one that was damaged. He said the windshield needs to be taken out to be resealed on reinstalling. Which needs to be done yet. He said I was lucky not to have any major problems while driving or shorting which could lead to a fire problem.

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Body, Electrical · 92,000 miles · WI

Possible windshield leakage causing extreme random electrical failure. Truck won't start if raining. Truck shuts off during operation. Particularly hazardous during highway operation. Electrical operations occur without warning, with or without keys in ignition.

Filed Oct 14, 2006 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · MI

Truck makes noise and will not start the key pad will not let me in my truck and the truck acts like it wants to start but anti theft system won't let it start. Are there any recalls on this problem.

Filed Sep 15, 2006 · Electrical · 15,400 miles · OH

The truck was driven back from the store, a distance of a few miles, then parked in my driveway. Apprximately 30 minutes later I head what sounded like a compressor running out in the street. Went out into the driveway and found the starter was turning over the engine. The truck had been turned off when parked and the key was removed. Went back inside got the key, and turned the ignition switch to the "run" position. Truck started and ran. Turned off ignition and removed key, but the starter continued to turn engine. Did this several times before letting the engine run for approximately 5 minutes, then finally was able to turn off ignition and starter did not crank the engine. Next morning truck would not start. Truck was towed and had to have starter replaced because it had burned out. The truck has only 15,000 miles. Called local ford service department where truck was purchased and they said they were unaware of any problems with starters. Obviously there is a problem with starter engaging by itself.

Filed May 13, 2004 · Electrical, Visibility · 53,379 miles · MI

Windshield seal leaked (rain) along roofline causing multiple electrical problems. Vehicle has multiple system warning lights visible on dash. Short circuit sounds coming from behind dashboard. Warning lights, blower motor and head lights operate without key in the ignition causing battery to be drained. Wipers cut off without warning. Door windows stop working without warning. Vehicle shifts into four-wheel drive without warning. Engine races while parked (revs to 4000 RPM and returns to normal). Sales man informed that ford will not cover the problem because the truck is out of warranty and to bring truck to dealer (5/3/04). Truck would not start until 5/8/04. Seal to windshield separated from vehicle on left side while driving to dealership (5/10/04). The truck now has excessive wind noise. Truck will no longer start (5/11/04). I called fords customer and requested that a representative from ford inspect the truck. Customer service asked that the truck be towed to a ford dealer. Truck was towed to local dealer. Dealer did not want to help me contact ford after I informed them that the truck has a defective windshield seal. Dealership informs me on 5/13/04 that the zone supervisor from ford said that there was nothing that could be done about the problem. In addition, dealer refuses to put statement in writing. The dealer also informed me that for a fee, they could seal the windshield and diagnosis the problem but the dealership where the truck was purchased from should do the repairs.