Many drivers experience a problem where their F150 won’t start but crank or turn over. This is something that can happen to anyone at some point. But exactly why is my Ford F150 turning over but not starting, and what should one do to fix this error?
The reason your Ford F150 turns over but doesn’t start could be due to various factors. It can happen because of issues with the battery, starter, fuel pump driver module, fuel pump, or the fuse for the fuel pump relay. To fix it, you most probably need to replace these parts depending on the severity.
Quite surely you are confused about what’s causing this problem. Don’t worry. In this guide, I’ll explain the possible reasons and provide solutions that hopefully you can try. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Reasons Why Your Ford F150 is Turning Over But Not Starting
There are a lot of reasons why your new or old 93 Ford F150 turns over but won’t start. Before I share the details, here’s a quick sneak peek of the causes and fixes.
| Causes | Repair |
| Low or damaged battery power | Clean the rusty terminals or replace the battery |
| Faulty starter | Change the starter |
| Bad fuel pump driver module | Replace the fuel pump driver module |
| Fuel pump bug | Clean the fuel filter or change the fuel injection/fuel pump |
| Blown out fuel pump relay’s fuse | Change the fuel pump relay’s fuse |
1. Bad or Low Battery Power
The first reason why is your Ford F150 turning over but not starting can be due to a bad or low-charged battery. Because of this, the car can’t get max power to the starter to crank and start working.
In that case, the car’s interior will make dim lighting, and clicking noise, and the battery warning light will blink. To troubleshoot it, you should check the terminals for rust and then replace the battery for the good.
How to Fix?
Start by opening the hood of your F150 and then locate the battery compartment. Next, use a ratchet wrench to detach the nut from the negative black (-) terminal and then the positive red (+) terminal.
Then, use a battery cleaner or lubricant to remove the rust or corrosion from the terminals. After applying the lubricant, let it be like this for 30 minutes before you put it on. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, change the terminal by removing the wire’s loop part from the old one.
Once it’s done, check if the car starts or not. If still not working, use the ratchet wrench to remove the nuts that hold the battery inside.
Next, detach the negative black (-) terminal’s nut before taking out the positive red (+) terminal’s nut with a suitable socket wrench. Then, pull the battery and install a new battery in the same spot. Reinstall all the parts by doing the reversal process.
Now, if your F150 doesn’t start after replacing the battery, it may show a different issue. Be sure to check this guide to know the possible causes and solutions.
Repair Cost: $360 – $400 ($260 or more for parts and the rest for labor)
Duration: 20 – 40 minutes.
2. Damaged Starter
If the battery alternator and charging system seem okay while still showing the issue of no start but turnover, it indicates the culprit is the starter. As the starter motor fails, the F150 cranks when you put the keys in the ignition keyhole but won’t start. This is also a common sign of a problematic f150 that fails to start with no clicking noise.
In that case, the car will make a whirring and fast-spinning sound when the key is turned. To repair it, you’ll need to change the damaged starter part.
How to Fix?
To begin with, turn off your car’s engine and hit the parking brake with your foot. Then, pull the hood release handle and open the front trunk. Next, locate the battery and detach the battery if possible.
After that, find the starter part located at the junction point between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust line. To reach it, you’ll need to remove the plastic protection from the 3 starter power connectors (at the bottom).
Then, grab a 13mm ratchet wrench to detach the red starter power terminal. After that, use a 10mm ratchet wrench to remove the black negative starter terminal.
Now, you’ll need to add an extender with a 13mm socket on the ratchet to take out the 3 starter retaining screws. Keep in mind they are hard to detach and require some patience to do it yourself.
After that, you’ll need to remove the ground retaining screw on the engine using a 13mm wrench to find some space. Next, move the wiring harness a little further and use some strength to take out the starter part.
Then, insert the new one in the same spot and reinstall all the removed parts by doing the reversal process.
Repair Cost: $450 – $600 or more ($250 – $300 for parts and the rest for labor)
Duration: 30 – 60 minutes.
3. Failing Fuel Pump Driver Module
Another reason why is your 2016 Ford F150 turning over but not starting (or other models) is a bad fuel pump driver module. Due to corrode or rust, this part can wear out or become useless. It can also cause the f150 to show intermittent starting problems.
According to Yamiti Solutions, one should not neglect the importance of recognizing key signs of a failing fuel pump control module. Try to look out for issues like difficulty starting the vehicle, engine stalling, and a silent fuel pump during ignition, as these could indicate module problems.
To repair it, often you just need to change the pump driver module.
How to Fix?
To begin with, jack up the car and get below the car in order to find the fuel pump driver module part. In most cases, this part is located on the cross beam under the truck (right above the spare tire which you can see if you go underneath).
After finding it, inspect its condition before you take it out. If it seems terrible in the state, it’s best to change it. To do that, detach the 6-pin connector from the module and clean it using a little grease as well.
Then, remove the 2 nuts that hold the fuel pump driver module and install a new one. Next, insert the nuts and tighten them out with a ratchet wrench. After that, reinstall the 6-pin connector to the module and check if the car starts normally or not.
Repair Cost: $700 or more ($205 for parts and rest for labor)
Duration: 30 minutes.
4. Issue with Fuel Pump
Sometimes the fuel pump problems can cause the F150 to turn over or crank but won’t start. It mostly happens due to dirt inside the filter that causes it to get clogged or issues in the fuel injection.
In that situation, the car will make irksome noises from the hood. To make it work again, just clean the fuel pump filter or repair the fuel injection issue.
How to Fix?
To unclog the fuel pump filter, locate the part under the car, on the left side inner frame rail. You can reach it by inserting the jack pads and standing under the car before reaching the fuel filter.
Then, use a 13mm ratchet wrench to take out the nut that holds the bracket and hides the fuel pump filter. After that, push the clips on both sides of the fuel pump filter in an upward motion.
Next, unseat the fuel pump filter from both fuel lines and ensure to keep it upward to avoid facing leakage. After that, place it in a bucket and then clean the inside. Then, reinstall it or install a new one and other parts.
Now, you’ll need to change the fuel injection if the issue still exists which can be done via an expert. This may take a few hours to do in the auto shop. After doing this, if the issue isn’t resolved, you’ll need to change the fuel pump.
Repair Cost: $1,050 – $1,650 or more ($250 – $300 for labor and the rest for parts)
Duration: 60 – 180 minutes.
5. Burnt Fuel Pump Relay Fuse
If you are wondering (2009 – 2013) why is my Ford F150 turning over but not starting, it mostly happens due to a fuel pump relay fuse issue.
When the fuse blows away or interferes with other electrical parts, it may cause the car to turn over but not start at all. In this case, you should check the fuel pump relay fuse condition and replace it if needed.
How to Fix?
You’ll need to begin this by opening the front trunk of your F150 car and then locate the fuse box at the edge. Afterward, open the lid of the fuse box inside the front trunk and find Fuse 27 which is marked in (white color) 20A.
This is the fuse of the fuel pump relay and then take it out carefully after warning the safety equipment. Then, check its condition and look for burnt marks.
If the fuse seems burnt, then replace it with a new fuse and then reattach all the items. Or, put the old fuse back into its place properly if there are no burnt marks.
Repair Cost: $100 or more ($95 or above for labor and $5 for part).
Duration: 10 minutes.
Ending Notes
To figure out why is your Ford F150 turning over but not starting, you can use a handy OBD II scan tool. It’ll tell you what’s wrong and why your car won’t start.
I hope this helps you understand the issues, and please try the suggested solutions. Stay tuned for more helpful guides in the future, Goodbye!
