Okay the title is a basic description of my problems. Before I begin, sorry if there is a thread like this already... I couldn't find it in my 10 minute search...

Ford
F250
1999
Bifuel
5.4 L engine.
Stock everything.
123K miles.

regular oil changes and took it to Ford mechanic last year to have it inspected before I bought it.

Okay so here's the issue. and its ANNOYING because it's intermittent...

Here are the facts:
1. It hasn't ever happen in the winter (heat related issue?)
2. It happens more frequently when it rains/wet (water issue?)
3. Last summer when it happened, my "theft" light (red) would blink rapidly (PATS issue?)
3.b I definitely have one of those special keys that costs like $100 to replace
4. Last time I had this issue there was a LOUD clicking sound from under the dash. The clicking sound repeated at the same rate as the engine would turn over... except it sounded like it was coming from the dash, right behind the radio. This only happened once or twice
5. The "service engine soon" light has been on and off for about 2 months. I took it to auto zone and had the code pulled... something about a piece that regulates overdrive... but the light has been on solid for the past couple of weeks so i was going to replace it soon... the guy at autozone said it was not a critical piece.
6. Now it just doesn't start.... sometimes! sometimes I just have to wait a couple of minutes and try again... sometimes it fires right up...
7. There is no variance in changing fuel types... AKA it does the same when running on gasoline or CNG
8. I thought it was a battery issue and had autozone guy check battery, he said it is good, although maybe old.... but past the autozone test...
9. I have inspected the battery connections and disconnected and reconnected
10. I get power to my dash, IE: all my instrument panels read me the levels. Battery indicates full charge, and when I turn lights on they are bright and powerful, proof that the battery has a full charge




ANY HELP GUYS would be very appreciated!

James

 

check with the Ford dealer's service bulletins?

 

Okay I don't even know what that is.. can you point me towards it?

also update:

My father and I replaced the solenoid... it fired right up.. only to fail again after I drove it 40 miles and turned it off... there HAS TO BE SOME FAULTY WIRE... I have learned that I can jimmy rig it so that if:

1. my key is turned to the most on-ward position without any external pushing (the actual start position)
2. I create a short between the two bolts on the solenoid (the starter kicks right in and it fires up)

sooo... new solenoid... still not working.. HAS TO BE A WIRE!

ill figure this out when I come back from China...

OHHH and my freaking "theft" light is blinking... AGAIN! ughh!

 

The service manager at any Ford dealer can tell you if recalls and service bulletins are listed...just give them you vin number.
You may also have a bad ignition switch...if you cross the solenoid contacts,and the starter engages OK,it's the likely culprit.