AU Falcon wont start

fred43 · 19-03-2010, 06:59 PM

Well went to start the AU yesterday and all I got was that Tic tic tic tic tic then dead. Checked the battery and put in a new one.
Now all electrics work except the car wont crank.
An auto elec suggested putting a jump cable from the pos terminal on battery to the solenoid wire, and hey the car cranks over like a new one.
Turned ignition to on and tried but it wont fire as he suggested so still cant get it to workshop.
Problem is still there that once the jump lead is removed and the solenoid reconnected it wont turn over.

Have checked everything I can think of and still no luck. Am open to any suggestions that may solve the problem.

I Love my AU just wish it would start like it used to.

bodes-sh · 19-03-2010, 08:14 PM

is it auto? try putting it in neutral and turn the key, if it works then, the inhibitor switch on the side of the transmission is playing up. the plug could be loose or dirty. occasionally i have to smack mine into park a bit further so it will crank. if the ecu thinks the car is in gear it won't let it crank over.

fred43 · 19-03-2010, 08:20 PM

Yes its an auto.I did try moving the auto back and forward but nothing happened. Will take a look at the wires in that area in the morning.
I wondered if it could be the bem?

fred43 · 19-03-2010, 08:27 PM

Does anyone know how to remove the BEM unit to check it? I know where it hides but how do I get it out.

mik · 19-03-2010, 09:02 PM

have you tried it with your spare key if you have one?
i know its a silly question but.....got fuel in it?

mik · 19-03-2010, 09:06 PM

scratch the last question my bad, fuses?

bodes-sh · 19-03-2010, 10:54 PM

bem is inside the dash panel just above your left knee when sitting in the driver's seat

blownv8au · 20-03-2010, 12:01 AM

sounds like the starter relay to me had that problem in my ed. Relay kept stuffing up so i put in a starter button,

fred43 · 20-03-2010, 08:55 AM

Gee thanks you guys.
Here is the latest.
Half tank of fuel.
Fuel pump working.
Spark at the plugs.
Checked the fuses all ok.
Am now waiting for a fully charged battery to see if there is a problem there.
Suspect the no crank problem is in the auto inhibitor switch so checking that out now.
It seems that it just one of those small gremlins that like to annoy motorists now and then.

JK EX CHASER · 20-03-2010, 09:17 AM

When battery are sitting on the shelf lose there charge .

fred43 · 20-03-2010, 09:56 AM

Have just put another new battery in that has been checked and is fully charged.
Cranks over but will not fire sounds as if it wants to but no go.
Now have even less hair than I started with two days ago.

DW260 · 20-03-2010, 10:07 AM

Weird... Have you checked the fuses and relays in the engine bay?

Do all cylinders have spark?

bodes-sh · 20-03-2010, 10:10 AM

definitely got pressure at the fuel rail? got spark on all 6 cylinders? have you tried it with the pedal to the floor? mine flooded once and had to do this to get it to start

fred43 · 20-03-2010, 10:16 AM

Will try replacing all the spark plugs as when I checked one against the block the spark was not to good. Perhaps this will do the trick.
I am still winding the motor over with the ignition on and the solenoid being triggered by a jump lead. I think there is a prob with the auto safety switch but will look at that when and if I get the car to fire-up.

fred43 · 20-03-2010, 11:25 AM

Here we are back again!!
Fitted all new plugs and still no fire.
Gee I am begining to run out of options here.

fred43 · 20-03-2010, 12:31 PM

Someone suggested it could be the fuel safety switch ???
Is there one of these on an AU ?

**Mechan1k** · 20-03-2010, 01:24 PM

I think it is behind the passenger side kick panel ... right near the door hinge.

fred43 · 20-03-2010, 02:28 PM

Think I now have an answer.
A Ford mechanic tells me that when the battery was changed the BEM forgot the key code and so now it does not recognize the key.
Looks as if it has to go into the local workshop to have a recode done.

Will post back here after that trip to let folks know if that was the problem.
In the meantime many thanks to everyone for your advice and assistance.

DW260 · 20-03-2010, 03:05 PM

Hmmm...Then I would be as bold to say - there may be a larger problem. I and many others on here have disconnected the battery and this has never happened to me or anyone else I know of.

I hope you get to the bottom of it.

JK EX CHASER · 20-03-2010, 06:25 PM

If U Got Spark Add Fuel To Throttle Body .

RESPEC6 · 20-03-2010, 06:52 PM

I would be checking to see if there was a good 12V signal to the Starter actuator wire.

the issue could be related to a faulty starter motor or rooted ignition switch maybe

rosebush · 20-03-2010, 09:46 PM

try replace the starter safety switch on the transmission...

sd1800 · 21-03-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosebush

try replace the starter safety switch on the transmission...

That's already been mentioned a few times and it's not the issue.

If this was the problem it would not crank at all.

**Mechan1k** · 21-03-2010, 06:06 PM

There is a fuse for the BEM ... I know someone has asked about it.
Just not sure if that was checked ... I think it is the same fuse at the interior light.

Maybe swap it over for a new one and see if it helps ... it may not be the issue ... but there's no harm in trying I guess.

hankb · 22-03-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred43

Think I now have an answer.
A Ford mechanic tells me that when the battery was changed the BEM forgot the key code and so now it does not recognize the key.
Looks as if it has to go into the local workshop to have a recode done.

Will post back here after that trip to let folks know if that was the problem.
In the meantime many thanks to everyone for your advice and assistance.

The Ford mechanic is on the right track Fred, what I think has REALLY happened is the BEM has lost contact with the PCM and thats why you have no crank.It was caused by an almost flat battery that went Tic-Tic-Tic as you put it and not when you removed the battery from the car.First of all you will have to reprogram 2 ign keys to the BEM then the BEM will have to have a "Parameter Reset" [handshake to the PCM] The parameter reset can only be done with a proper scan tool of course. I repaired a 2002 AU2 ute with same symptoms as yours last month.It is not uncommon for this to happen.
hankb

fred43 · 22-03-2010, 12:28 PM

After the battery was reconnected the word base came up on the centre section of the dash, where the mileage is normally shown. What does this mean. It has been suggested that this indicates the computer is resetting and it should be left for an hour with the ignition turned on, to complete the reset. Anyone heard of this?

sd1800 · 22-03-2010, 03:29 PM

Mine always says base after I disconnect the battery? I start it right up immediately without a problem?

fred43 · 22-03-2010, 04:05 PM

Now suspect the Hornet Car Security System has imobilised the car. A new set of things to sort out. The key and bem were OK. Boy it would be real hard to steal this AU at the moment.

hankb · 22-03-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred43

Now suspect the Hornet Car Security System has imobilised the car. A new set of things to sort out. The key and bem were OK. Boy it would be real hard to steal this AU at the moment.

WHY would you fit an extra security system when the car has a perfectly GOOD security system [Smartshield]as standard equipment ????
hankb

:

fred43 · 22-03-2010, 05:04 PM

Probably because it was fitted ion the car when I bought it. It was 12months old an ex company car.