F150

Barney

Barney

Sharpest Tool
Jan 21, 2020
393
Cloquet, MN
First Name
Denny
Willys Model
  1. Wagon
Willys Year:
  1. 1953
I know this isn't at all Willys related, but I also know there's a lot of mechanical geniuses on the site and I'm looking for help.

My son stopped over for a visit a couple of days ago and when it was time to go his 2016 F150 3.5 V6 ecoboost it refused to turn over, no click no nothing. Everything else seemed to work. We checked the battery (OK), all of the fuses and relays related to the starter (all OK), 12 volts at the starter. He decided it was the starter and installed a new one. Still nothing.

Googling it shows it's fairly a common Ford problem and we've checked most everything that we saw online with no luck (short of dealing with the computer stuff ... out of our pay grade). Has anyone seen anything similar? Any ideas of what could be wrong? Prior to this, he hadn't experienced any issues.

Thanks for any ideas.
 
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By 2016 the starter is probably controlled by the ECM. In order to start it likely needs to see the trans in Park or Neutral and the brake on. Without those it's won't try. There should be 2 wires going to the starter, a fat one from the battery and a skinny one from the ECM or a relay. The fat one should always have 12V and the skinny one should only have 12V when trying to start. Unless I'm wrong and there is a remote solenoid. I would make sure the neutral safety switch, parking switch and brake light switches all work. It's also possible there is a second brake switch just for the ECM and if so, you need to check that also. I can't think of anything else other than a bad start switch or burnt out fuse that would cause this problem.
 
In addition to what Ira said, have a look at this. It frustrated the heck out of a freind of mine.

2016 Ford F‑150 Fuel Pump Reset Switch (Inertia Switch) Guide​

The fuel pump shut‑off switch (also called the inertia switch) is a safety device that cuts power to the fuel pump after a collision or severe impact to prevent fuel leaks and fire. On a 2016 F‑150, it’s usually a small red or yellow button labeled INERTIA or FUEL PUMP that you can reset to restore fuel delivery kevinsautos.com.

Typical Location on a 2016 F‑150​

Ford’s 2016 F‑150 often places the inertia switch in one of these areas kevinsautos.com+1:

  • Passenger‑side kick panel under the dash, near the glove box.
  • Rear cab area behind the right‑side trim or under the center console (crew cab).
  • Under the hood near the firewall in some trims.
  • Under the bed near the wheel well or taillight assembly (less common).
If you can’t find it, consult your owner’s manual or a service manual for your exact trim/year.

How to Reset the Switch​

Safety first:

  • Turn the ignition OFF.
  • Apply the parking brake.
  • Check for fuel leaks or damage before resetting Ford Service Content.
Steps:

  1. Locate the switch in the area above.
  2. Press the reset button firmly until you hear or feel a click.
  3. If you disconnected the battery to access the switch, reconnect the negative terminal securely kevinsautos.com.
  4. Turn the ignition to ON for 2–3 seconds to prime the fuel system.
  5. Try starting the engine.
If it doesn’t start after resetting:

  • Recheck for fuel leaks.
  • Inspect fuses, relays, and the fuel pump itself.
  • If the third attempt fails, have a qualified technician check the system Ford Service Content.

Important Notes​

  • Not all F‑150s have a user‑accessible inertia switch; some rely on relay/fuse and ECU logic kevinsautos.com.
  • Only reset if the switch is confirmed to have tripped (e.g., after a crash or severe impact).
  • Always follow your owner’s manual for your specific model and trim.
By locating the switch in the correct area and resetting it properly, you can restore fuel delivery and get your 2016 F‑150 running again safely.
 
Usually you have to hit something or roll the vehicle to set off that switch.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions! As it turned out, when he put the new starter in, he missed one of the wires connecting the starter. While jumping the starter, he noticed the loose wire. Started right up.
 
I have a similar ford, and one of the best helpers has been ChatGPT to answer some difficult questions or alter easy sort through what would take me hours to do on Google
 
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