for my elderly father, so please be gentle. His 2003 Transit wont start, doesnt even attempt to turn over. When he turns the key to position II in ignition, all the dash lights come on as ususal, but try to turn it over, and nothing.

Any advice or pointers befroe he calls someone out please?

flat battery...it could still have enough power to show dash lights but not enough to start.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Hi Stan

Thats what i thought, he drop it home fine last night, and this morning its not even attemping to turn over. That or maybe a loose earth strap? or would that mean no dash lights at all? Sure i had a similar issue with a Mk5 Escort diesel about 17 years ago

I've just spoken to him, he actually loat his original keys yesterday while he was up the farm, so got a lift home to pick up a spare key. drove home with spare key, parked up. Locked it with his spare keyfob/remote, then unlocked it with spare keyfob this morning but wont start.

I'm saying its more likely vehicle related than remote/keyfob, if the spare worked OK to lock it up last night?

Sorry for all the questions Stan/everyone, hes a old man and I'm about 40 miles away at present so cant get to him

Years and years ago i had a rover 2000tc , thing would only start when it felt like it , i bought an xj6 and drove home, upon arrival i picked up my claw hammer and went to town on the TC. About 2/3 mins into my killing the tc an elderly neighbour asked me what was going on so i explained. He offered me 50 quid and i walked away from the car. He replaced the earth strap and drove the thing for 3 more years. Moral of the story ?? Try the earth strap and not just an obvious break. 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

You could try connecting a jump lead between the battery -ve terminal and the engine block and see if it starts. If so it's the earth strap if not it's something else.

If no earth strap stands a chance it would melt throttle cable and anything else conductive. Check the small wire going to the starter first, make sure it's attached and if possible check for 12v when key turned to start position. Have you tried clonking the starter with a suitable implement whilst holding the key in start position? If none of that works get a jump lead from + terminal on battery and touch it on the small terminal on the starter (if it starts then you have a problem with switch or wire). Some Trannys were prone to dual mass clutch going and the dust fills the starter motor.

Transit starter system is simple, big wire from battery + terminal goes to starter solenoind, another big wire goes from solenoid into starter motor. The little wire from the ign switch goes to solenoid and when live (when you've turned key to start) it brings in the contacts in the solenoid bridging the two big wires.

Didn’t the 03 Tranny have two batteries?

Usually just one under drivers seat I believe.

Might be the immobiliser. A number of Mondeos had a similar fault. Have you tried locking with the key in the door, then unlocking the same way and then try and start. i.e. don't use the fob to unlock as it might not be disarming the immobiliser.

Then check the small wire on the starter is actually getting 12 volts when the key is turned to the start position. If not try bridging from the large terminal to the small one with a short piece of wire. If that engages the solenoid you have a wiring issue, if not it sounds like a duff starter. If it does crank when you bridge the terminals it may still not start which would point to an immobiliser fault.

Be careful bridging starter terminals, if the wire is too thin it will get very hot very quickly, and I mean very.

If I remember correctly, if something doesn’t match up with the immobiliser then the red PATS light on the dash flashes at you like crazy!

We did have similar last year with our 05 Transit at work, I changed the starter motor and it’s been fine ever since!

As mentioned battery is under drivers seat, I think it’s only 2006.5 on that may have two batteries but I’m up to be corrected