LS didn't start 2004 V8 =(

[lincoln_zero]

So I drove my LS today. After 5 minutes of driving, it made a weird random multiple beep sound, kind of like as if I pressed the information "Reset" button 8 - 12 times really fast. Then stopped. I restarted it on the road, drove fine. Made a quick stop, parked. Started fine. Then drove and parked at my destination. When I got back to the car (3 hours later) it would not start.

Turning the key, the steering column and seat move, lights come on, radio, everything. But the engine will not turn over at all. Nothing. I tried 3 times, to no avail. Waited maybe... 1 minute? Tried and Boom, fired up. Drove it all the way home (20 minutes). Parked in my driveway. Shut it off. Starts up multiple times no issue. I can hear the fuel pump engaging when I turn on just the ignition. Again starts fine now.

Random thoughts: - Got the car Krown Rust Proofed 5 days ago, but this car has a long history of Krown rust proofing. All 8 ignition coils done in November.

Edit: Car has been parked for 3 days

Any ideas really appreciated.

 

[lincoln_zero]

Could it be this?

Lincoln LS Questions - I have a Lincoln LS that won't start but the battery is fully charged.... - CarGurus

 

[joegr]

When it wouldn't start, did the starter run (try to start the engine)?
What was the PATS light doing when this happened?

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Try swapping your horn relay with your starter relay and see if that fixes it. They should be the exact same relay.

 

[lincoln_zero]

When it wouldn't start, did the starter run (try to start the engine)?
What was the PATS light doing when this happened?

No, it didn't try to start at all.

What is the PATS light? It did the normal behavior, such as lights go off when trying to turn.

 

[lincoln_zero]

Try swapping your horn relay with your starter relay and see if that fixes it. They should be the exact same relay.

The current issue is, its starting at the moment. It only did this while it was parked at my destination.

 

[joegr]

The PATS light is the red light on the center of the dash, at the base of the windshield. It will flash rapidly if there is a PATS problem. If you then leave the key on, after a while it will settle down and flash out a two digit trouble code.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Swap the relays now anyway and see if the problem persists. If not... problem fixed.

Why wait for it to happen again? Be proactive, not reactive.

It will hurt nothing to swap 2 relays that are the same... and I'm sure the horn gets alot less use than the starter.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

What is the PATS light?

Short answer... it's for the security system.

 

[lincoln_zero]

Short answer... it's for the security system.

Ok I will. Where is the Horn and starter relay located?

 

[04_Sport_LS]

If you have the owners manual, look in the index.

I don't have the info available at the moment... but IIRC... one is in the trunk relay box, and the other is in the relay box under the hood.

 

[joegr]

If you have the owners manual, look in the index.

I don't have the info available at the moment... but IIRC... one is in the trunk relay box, and the other is in the relay box under the hood.

Nope!
Both are in the hood box. #13 (horn) and #15 (starter).

 

[lincoln_zero]

Relay 15 is starter motor, but on the first page it says 15* as HEGO and Coil on Plugs.

 

[lincoln_zero]

Nope!
Both are in the hood box. #13 (horn) and #15 (starter).

View attachment 828571709

Thank you sir!!!!!

 

[lincoln_zero]

UPDATE:

I checked the relay box. There is no Krown oil inside. I inspected both relays, they appear fine. I swapped them anyway. Car started without a hitch. Tried a second start, starts up. Seems good.

Anything I should keep an eye out for? Or is this just "if it happens again" sort of scenario?

EDIT: What was the multiple beeps this morning all about? the beeps were from the information dash speaker.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

I stand corrected. Thanks Joe.

 

[lincoln_zero]

... It will flash rapidly if there is a PATS problem. If you then leave the key on, after a while it will settle down and flash out a two digit trouble code.

It only flashed a couple times. Not rapidly. Normal flash.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Anything I should keep an eye out for? Or is this just "if it happens again

If it happens again... you'll be back asking Joe more questions about the PATS system.

 

[joegr]

Relay 15 is starter motor, but on the first page it says 15* as HEGO and Coil on Plugs...

It is saying that fuse 11 is a 15A mini fuse for the heaters in the O2 sensors. Also note that fuse and relay numbers overlap.

I have had two or three PATS "failures" in the 15 years I have had my 04 (none that I can recall for the 06). In each case, it worked on the 2nd or 3rd try, and each time it was failure to read the key. I think that each of those times it was external interference. There's an interesting parking lot in Canada: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/carstairs-westview-co-op-grocery-car-key-fob-1.4999558

 

[04_Sport_LS]

and each time it was failure to read the key.

I was wondering about that... and my next question to LZ would have been if he bought an aftermarket key and had it programmed somewhere.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

That is a comical story. It's only going to get worse as more stuff broadcasts over RF, WIFI... etc.

 

[lincoln_zero]

I was wondering about that... and my next question to LZ would have been if he bought an aftermarket key and had it programmed somewhere.

Haha no I didn't. Its the factory set of keys. The key I'm using seems to be the least use between the two sets from the previous owner.
So is the vehicle reliable to drive at the moment?

I have had two or three PATS "failures" in the 15 years I have had my 04 (none that I can recall for the 06). In each case, it worked on the 2nd or 3rd try, and each time it was failure to read the key. I think that each of those times it was external interference.

So what did you replace to fix your PATS failure? Just the fuse?

 

[joegr]

...So what did you replace to fix your PATS failure? Just the fuse?

No, nothing at all.