Suddenly won't start!

Q

qwiksilvertrav

New member
Ran perfect yesterday. Went to start it today and it fired up fine...then started to spudder and died. Now I can't get it started back up! Random weird things started to happen such as the instrument panel lights not coming on and the passenger side tail light not coming on but then coming on later. A wrench flashed as well and says in the manual "throttle control/transmission". Any help would be great. But looks like it's going into the dealership...

I also have a stage 2 tune from Livernois, could this be messing with something?? Can I scan the pcm for fault codes using the SCT?
 
Mine is a 2013.. but here's what it says about the wrench light on page 107

Powertrain malfunction/reduced power (RTT)
Illuminates when a powertrain or an AWD fault has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

How is your coolant level... could be in "fail safe mode"

 
Disconnect the battery, wait 20-30 minutes, hook it back up.  See if the problem clears.  Check if all hoses/wiring look properly connected underhood.  Check battery voltage (esp if still original).  If not, could be related to TSS/OSS sensors for the transmission.
 
Yes you can scan for code with you SCT make sure you write them down and you can also clear them as well with the SCT tuner.
 
Well as you see in my other thread my car won't start. Figured I'd at least load the stock tune back and see if that clears up anything but I get an error 1016 from my SCT when it goes to download the stock tune to the car. I'm guessing the tune is corrupt or something? So the other question is it even possible to get my car back to stock now? Frustrating...
 
Yep just tried....was taking the negative battery terminal off and the actual post of the battery started to come off with it!! Wtf??? So yeah didn't attempt to take it off not wanting the post to come out too...everything still seems powered (lights accessories turn on) but the lights on the gauges (speed, rpm etc) don't come on. wtf is going on with this thing? Definitely going to need a new battery for it I guess.
 
So went out and the SCT is useless. Can't grab any codes and can't load the stock tune (error 1016), it stops when it's trying to download the stock tune. Also the battery seems f'd...the negative post of the battery started coming out of the battery itself with the damn terminal. Both terminals are also saturated in a pink fluid. Everything seems to power on fine and it DID start initially.
 
Hopefully, the battery will turn out to be the problem.  I would try a new one first.  Then see what's up. 
 
I was thinking battery but it did start and run for 30 seconds...so wouldn't that mean the battery is good? I'll have to run out and test it with a volt meter
 
My 2010 Flex had to have a new battery at 3.5 yrs and around 60,000 mi.  Our batteries are "medium" quality, and better than many vehicles.  I updated with  top quality Motorcraft battery  - 850 Amp  Cost about $130. at Ford dealer.  They were running specials back last summer.  All batteries are made by a couple different companies, just labeled different.  Check on line for pricing  - Ford, and all the auto stores.  Lots of discounts to be had.
 
If you have a bad post, even the engine vibration could be shorting it.  I would disconnect it and leave it off before you fry anything.
 
I'd definitely start with the battery.

Just because it started & ran briefly, shouldn't mean you should look elsewhere.

Especially given the description of the obvious defect with the negative post.

You may not be grounding properly, as a result of the battery, & it sounds like in turn, everything else electrically related is going haywire as a result.

Tune file, lights, dtc's, etc.

Since I'm on Tapatalk, I am on able to view your sig, therefore I am not sure what model year we are discussing here....

However, it is well known that the batteries supplied from the factory are rated for medium duty only, and typically fail within 3 years or less.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
 
Probably unrelated, but when I took my SHO in this past March for a full checkup, basic warranty was about to expire, they replaced my battery because the voltage was low. Of course they replaced it with a 39 month battery, but I did notice it started slightly better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
Tested the battery and it reads out at 12.2 volts so it's around 50% charged and the car hasn't ran since yesterday. So it *seems* fine...and the post wasn't coming out till I started pulling on the terminal...I'm thinking it was fine prior to this. Now that I pulled it halfway out I'll need a new battery either way. lol

Also this is a 2010 Sho, 50k miles. I guess I'll run and grab a battery tomorrow before calling the dealer to come tow it. But not sure why the wrench came up on the display if it's just a battery? Hopefully the battery fixes it (or the pcm reboot during the process).

Anyone have an idea of how I can get my SCT going and get the stock tune loaded?? I don't really want to bring it in to a dealership with a stage 2 tune loaded. Anyone ever have error 1016 on their SCT?
 
This thing is driving me nuts. The terminal will NOT separate from the damn post!

Here's a pic of the mess:


It spins freely around the post but it seems like the very top of the post has mushroomed or something and I can't pop it out. Any suggestions?
 
Take the nut off and use a screw driver as a wedge to spread the post clamp open.
 
Finally got it. Ugh what a pain in the butt! Nut was loosened all the way but that post was corroded to hell. Definitely could be the problem. Gonna head off and get a new battery now.
 
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