Hey everyone, I’ve got a 2003 Ford F150 XL 4.2L and I’m dealing with an intermittent no-start issue. Sometimes the engine cranks just fine, but other times I only hear a click with no crank. I noticed a ticking sound from a black square box in the engine bay on the driver’s side, near the wheel well. After looking up the part number (7L1Z-2C219-CL), I found it’s the ABS module.
Here’s what I’ve checked so far:
The battery shows good voltage (around 12.7V).
I tested the large terminal on the starter and got inconsistent readings, ranging from 8V to 12.7V.
The small terminal (S-terminal) on the starter had no voltage when the key was in the run position but should only show voltage while cranking.
The weird thing is that the truck sometimes starts fine, even with no changes to the setup. Any ideas on what might be causing this? And could the ABS module ticking be related to the starting issue? Thanks for any help!
If the voltage at the large starter terminal is fluctuating, it could indicate a bad connection. Double-check the cables for corrosion or loose connections. The battery itself might be fine, but poor contact at the terminals can cause issues.
@Junior
I’ve seen this happen before. Clean the terminals and check the grounding points. A bad ground can cause all sorts of weird electrical problems.
Foster said: @Junior
I’ve seen this happen before. Clean the terminals and check the grounding points. A bad ground can cause all sorts of weird electrical problems.
Thanks, I’ll clean the terminals and test the grounds again. Hopefully, that resolves it.
The ABS module ticking might be unrelated, but it’s worth checking the module’s connections and wiring harness. Sometimes, a faulty module can drain power or interfere with other systems.
Sophie said:
The ABS module ticking might be unrelated, but it’s worth checking the module’s connections and wiring harness. Sometimes, a faulty module can drain power or interfere with other systems.
Good point. If the ABS module is shorting out or drawing too much power, it might explain the intermittent starting issue.
When you get the no-start condition, test the small S-terminal on the starter while someone turns the key to the crank position. If there’s no voltage, the issue could be with the ignition switch or wiring leading to the starter.
It sounds like the multimeter might be giving inconsistent readings. If the batteries in it are low, you might not be getting accurate results. Replace the batteries and retest everything to be sure.
Leighton said:
It sounds like the multimeter might be giving inconsistent readings. If the batteries in it are low, you might not be getting accurate results. Replace the batteries and retest everything to be sure.
Yeah, I replaced the multimeter batteries, and now I’m getting more stable readings. It’s showing 12.7V at the battery and starter when things are working.
If you’re confident in the electrical connections and battery, the starter itself might be going bad. Sometimes a weak starter motor can cause intermittent cranking issues.
Lexi said:
If you’re confident in the electrical connections and battery, the starter itself might be going bad. Sometimes a weak starter motor can cause intermittent cranking issues.
That’s what I was thinking too. If nothing else works, I might try replacing the starter.