Nothing beats the frustration when your Ford F150 cranks but won’t start! To solve this problem, I have figured out the troubleshooting methods for you.
In this article, I will discuss six troubleshooting procedures to solve no-start issue of your Ford F150.
If the engine won’t start just cranks, there’s something wrong with the fuel system. A common reason is the tripped inertia fuel shutoff switch. And others can be a bad fuel pump fuse, fuel pump relay, fuel pump driver module, and the fuel pump.
Please Note: You can follow this Ford F150 turns over but won’t start guide regardless of the model and year of your truck.
The common years with this issue are: Ford F150 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.
6 Reasons Why Ford F150 Cranks But Won’t Start!
Here are the solutions for the Ford F150 turns over but won’t start problem.
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Tripped inertia fuel shutoff switch | Reset the inertia fuel shutoff switch |
| Bad inertia fuel shutoff switch | Replace the inertia fuel shutoff switch |
| Bad fuel pump fuse | Replace the fuel pump fuse |
| Melted fuel pump fuse 27 | Use a relocation kit |
| Bad PCM power relay | Replace the PCM power relay |
| Bad fuel pump relay | Replace the fuel pump relay |
| Damaged fuel pump driver module | Replace the fuel pump driver module |
| Bad fuel pump | Replace the fuel pump |
1. Tripped or Failing Inertia Fuel Shutoff Switch
If your truck has an old inertia fuel shutoff switch, you need to ensure it’s not tripped. It may trip if the truck had a large bump or hit a pothole.
Ideally, this inertia safety switch is meant to turn off the fuel pump to avoid any fire hazard in the event of a collision.
So find the switch, and do a visual inspection. It’s probably beside the central junction box inside the cabin.
If you see the red reset button is raised upward (known as the open position), that means it tripped. Hence it’s not sending the power to the fuel pump driver module.
And you need to reset it manually. To reset the inertia switch, press the red button down. Once you reset it to the operating position (known as the closed position), the engine should start just fine.
But if you have no luck resetting the switch, you need to make sure the switch is working properly.
You can test with a multimeter whether the C (Common) and NC (Normally Closed) prongs/poles of the switch have continuity when the switch is in the closed position (reset button is pushed down).
If there is no continuity (no beep sound from the multimeter), then it’s a bad switch.
You can bypass the inertia switch by jumping the connector wires and then check if the engine starts. If the engine starts, that means the switch is not operating correctly.
So if it’s a failing or bad switch, you need to replace it, and you will solve your problem immediately.
2. Blown-Out or Melted Fuel Pump Fuse
A bad or blown-out fuel pump fuse can make your Ford F150 cranks but won’t start!
So go ahead and visually inspect the fuse. It should be in the battery junction box under the hood and see if it’s blown or melted.
You can test the fuse with a test light or a multimeter. Alternatively, you can swap it with another identical one and see if your engine starts. You need to replace the fuel pump fuse if it solves the problem.
And, if your truck is one of the 2009 to 2014 models (7th generation), you should know that many reports of Ford F150 fuel pump fuse 27 keep melting out. In that case, you need to use a relocation kit.
It’s good practice to test out all the fuses in the central and battery junction boxes.
3. Bad PCM Power Relay
Next, check the PCM power relay to see whether it’s getting the power. If the PCM is not communicating with the fuel pump driver module, there is no fuel supply; hence the engine fails to start.
You can confirm that it’s working fine if the relay clicks when the ignition is in the ON position.
However, if there is no clicking sound, it might have gone wrong. And you need to replace it, which will hopefully solve the no-start problem.
4. Bad Fuel Pump Relay
The fuel pump relay could cause this F150 cranks but no start problem. So you need to make sure it’s working properly.
If your truck has a serviceable fuel pump relay (in the fuse box under the hood), you can swap it with another identical one. Then go ahead and start the engine. If it solves the problem, you can be sure that the fuel pump relay is failing.
And, you need to replace the bad fuel pump relay to solve the crank-but-won’t-start issue with your Ford F150.
5. Damaged Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM)
The fuel pump driver module is a crucial component of the fuel system to work properly. This module sends power to the fuel pump. And, you need to make sure it’s in working condition.
So, get your spare tire down and crawl under the vehicle to the fuel pump driver module. Do a visual inspection.
If you see it has been corroded or physically damaged, there is a possibility that it’s not working correctly.
As a result, there is no communication between the FPDM and the fuel pump. Hence the engine will crank but won’t start. You can bypass the module by jumping the 6-pin connector with two jumper cables. And then try to start the engine.
If the bypass allows the engine to start, it signifies a failing or damaged fuel pump driver module.
In that case, you need to replace the FPDM, and your truck should start fine.
6. Bad Fuel Pump
After trying all the troubleshooting methods and fixes, if your truck fails to start, it signifies that the fuel pump may not be in good condition. Especially if your truck is an older generation model, this could be quite possible.
You can try to listen to the fuel pump sound by taking the fuel cap off while someone cycles the ignition key to ON and OFF positions. If you don’t hear any sound, that means the pump is not working.
So you need to replace the fuel pump to get your Ford F150 started again.
Final Words
So now you have everything you need to know why your Ford F150 cranks but won’t start. Go ahead and follow the troubleshooting methods, and I hope you’ll get this problem solved.
You should visit the dealership or contact a professional mechanic if you fail to fix it.
Checked the fuse in the fuse box and replaced it with a good one…………..Fixed the problem. Thanks!
Crank but no start isn’t always fuel related. I’m working on a 2014 F150, 3.5 ecoboost. No start but cranks fine. Scan tool says I have 1,600 psi fuel rail pressure, it has an rpm signature of 165 rpm when cranking. When cranking, it has cam and crank sync. has NEW remanufacture engine. Pulled a coil and checked for spark—none on any cylinder. Checked all fuses and grounds, they’re ok. No anti-theft codes either. What is missing? Bad coil driver in the PCM? any help you can offer is greatly appreciated! BTW, I’ve been an ASE master tech for 35 years so I’m usually pretty good at diag. but this has me stumped, I use a Snap-on Solus scanner.
hello did you ever get yours figured out im having the same issue except i have spark i have everything fuel spark compression and just cranks over sounds like it is flooded we put on a new turbo and would not start afterwards
My 1995 F150, 5.8 engine runs rough, and dies after warm-up. Runs ok until then. The fuel pump relay chatters after warm-up. I have good ground, plus direct to battery ground for wires by L side hood hinge, also good ground to cab. Relay is good.
What if it cranks sometimes and then it doesn’t crank?
My F150 3.5l V6 non ecoboost has had this issue of no wanting to crank immediately after filling the tank full with fuel. It has given me issues of starter turning when ask for but seem that the starter is hung up during this no start issue. I has only happened at the gas station up refilling the tank to fuel the last 7 refueling stop. I have changedvthe starter and the ignition module in the steering column recently think that it was a starter issue but it continues to have this issue of turning over when the key is turn to start position, during that time it appears to spin the starter faster than normal without starting the engine. After several no start attempts it will eventually start and run kinda rough just for a few second and then everything is back to normal. I will drive it home from the gas station just a few miles to home and turning the engine off and it will restart just fine.
I have a known evap purge failure with the EZ caps flapper that continue to throw the problem code 1450 and check engine light illuminates. I clear the code and I know that I will eventually have to change the filler neck hose assembly.
Fuse #27 it was. Many, many thanks sir for saving me a lot of looking, checking and $$$. My truck is a 2009 F150 with about 140k miles.
2004 150XL – cranks but doesn’t start. Replcced fuse 27, 2 relays, 2 diodes, PCM, bypassed inertia switch, only getting 6 volts power to inertia switch – when connected to out wire going to pump relay switch – drops to 0 volts. Will check that next but open to any recommendations. THANKS
Hi, Kevin. Thank you so much for this. My 2012 F150 refused to start about a month ago when I was trying to leave a jobsite. Never a problem before that. It did start after sitting for a couple of hours and kept on starting until today. I removed and replaced the 27 fuse, which was melted on one side.
I bought an entire fuse kit while I was at it. (For Canadian readers, Canadian Tire has a $50 kit complete with a handy removal tool.)
My 1996 (ordered and received in 95) cranks but won’t start. New D-cap/rotor, New Coil, New alternator, New fuel pump, no fuse issues, connections clean, good battery. Sometimes it starts, now it won’t. Very strange. Any thoughts?
i have a 2006 f150 5.4 3v, cranks no start sometimes,i can hear the fuel pump,i replaced cam and crank sensors. can anyone help
1997 f150 4.2
When I start this truck and drive it, then I turn it off and try to restart it, it will not start back up. It just cranks and won’t start. Then the next day starts back up but turn it off and it does the same thing again. Fuel pump is working. Shut off switch is working. I replaced crankshaft sensor thinking it was the problem but nope. I need help trying to figure out what to do next.