02 Expedition starts but won't stay running

[ABE]

Unfortunately the manual says that R303 is not owner serviceable and gives the following warning:

Note: Relays R301–R305 are not serviceable components; see your
dealer or a qualified technician for assistance.

Sorry.

[contento]

AARG! I didn't see that...just my luck.

NOW, the truck wont turn over at all. It clicks like it's not getting juice. The batter is brand new and I put it on a jump starter, but still no luck. I turn it over and it clicks, then I hear the relays in the fuse panel clicking like crazy for a few seconds. Also, when I first put the key in now, the speedo and gauges all shoot up to maxed out before resetting down. Is that normal?

Thanks again for all of the help!!

[ABE]

If you hear the click then the ignition system is providing power to the starter solenoid and engaging the starter gear with the flywheel ring gear. It takes very little battery power to do that. Then the heavy connections in the solenoid allow full battery power to the starter brushes and armature field to power the starter and turn the engine. So you have: a bad battery, bad connections or bad starter.

Check the battery does not have a bad cell by doing a specific gravity test. All 6 cells should register between 1.275 and 1.3. If one is significantly lower then the cell is effectively dead and the battery must be replaced. A load test on battery will do much the same thing and show a very unsatisfactory battery. If the battery is OK then check the connections to ground and to the starter. If all good and problem persists then starter is problem and needs to be replaced.

A faulty alternator could prevent the battery from being charged. In addition it has been related to speedometers and odometers that operate when key turned to on position. The alternator can generate harmonic electrical waves that mimic the vehicle speed sensor output cycles and cause the odometer/speedometer to operate while vehicle stationary.

I have never heard of a problem causing all gauges to go to max then to idle state. Some vehicles do exercise all their gauges, but I do not know if the '03 Expedition is one of them.

Good luck.

[contento]

the battery is BRAND new (replaced it at the beginning of this process yesterday!) and I had the alternator tested. THe car has been starting no problem through this process until the last round.

It's not the usuall dead-battery-no-start clicking. This is something else. I turn the key to start it, it doesn't start (clicks a bunch) then return the key to ON and the it clicks a bunch more from the relays and the red alarm/theft light flashes and clicks

[starliner406]

Chech the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS sensor) with an volt meter get the readings. Find it, unplug it and test the pins in the harness connector on the sensor side.

[contento]

an interesting point in this issue...

i borrowed a scanner from the parts counter...no codes show up. It passes everything.

Anyway, I cleaned up the batery terminals really well, retightened everything down, disconnected the batter for a while, a found a blown fuse (cigar ligher/ODB scanner plug) and replaced it (which probably is why the scanner wouldn't connect when I started trying it today). Now the truck turns over again, but back to "wont stay running"

where is the TPS? Sorry, I don't have a detailed diagram of the motor.

[bkf77]

I would install a fuel pressure gauge and verify pressure Does the pump have power when it should? KOEO relay should engauge for a few seconds then shut of until cranking or engine runs Is the service engine light on? GOOD LUCK