On occasion my '09 Taffeta Sport will not crank. The key is turned to start as usual and we can hear a buzzing like a relay that won't pick-up. The noise sounds like it is coming from behind the dash area, but it could be under the hood. The car has approx. 17 K miles. If I knew when it was going to do this I'd have somenoe start it while I listened under the hood. I suspect a bad connection or switch, but it has only done this maybe 10 times since new. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or heard of someone that does. Letting the key return to "start" position and trying again it will start. Anyway, THANKS in advance ...... phasfit

 

I think I've experienced this. I always just thought it was my imagination, though, because every time I tried again it would work. I have an 09 with about 21K on the odo.

 

Hey baylorbro, Thanks for the reply. I too thought the same thing at first, then my wife told me it did the same thing when she drove it. Let's see if anyone else will respond. Thanx, phasfit

 

Well, it's hard to compare across the internet, but that's close to what my fit did with a bad battery. But the only way i got it fixed was jumpstarting, so I'm guessing that doesn't describe your situation.

 

malraux, Thanks for the reply. My battery is o.k. so I am leaning toward checking all the connections. And it could be a battery connection. But I have tightened that come to think of it. I called the dealer and they of course never heard of it or a TSB on the subject. And you know how that goes. Weeks into months and it would never do it for them I'm sure. ANd I live @ 50+ miles from the dealer so Ican't be trippin' back and forth. I'll hook up my Auto-X-Ray 6000 and see if it can snag a code which I don't think the OBD would register for this particu;ar problem. Let you all know if I find anything and if I find the problem. Thanks again....phasfit

 

Mine did that today. Turn the switch and nothing, again, nothing and then it fired on the third try.

 

Farther, did you get the buzzing or relay chatter noise when you turned the key to "start"?

 

In my experience, this may be a weak battery, or some corrosion on the battery terminals. It doesn't take much (as in hardly anything visible) to cause enough of a voltage drop to cause the starter to fail to engage.

 

I have never experienced this. 30k miles and have been through 15degree winter conditions and 100+ degree summers in my 09 fit. I did however notice hesitation at times when trying to start up.

 

Fords where known for battery terminal connection problems for a while. Amazing how critical that connection is. Keep the post and the clamp wire brush clean, tight and lubed. Take care not to stress the post either, this can lead to failure. I like that my FIT has that positive terminal cover.

 

I didn't notice the buzzing but there was a lot of ambiant noise in the car with my wife and two dogs. Also this is a 2010 with less than 800 miles on it. The underhood is cleaner than my house, no corrosion on the battery terminals.

 

Hmmm? Wonder if the buzzing is an ambient rattle snake!!!! Better have a look under the dash. Mirror and flashlight first....
Thanks Farther!

 

This is a bit old/belated but I think I have now figured out what makes the "occasional" tiny buzzing/chatter noise when I try to crank the engine. It seems that the position of the ignition switch/key, and the motion of the hand/wrist, coupled with the long travel of the ignition key/switch sometimes makes minimal electrical contact. The relay is not receiving sufficient voltage to fully engage the contacts and energize the starter and hence the "faint buzzing/chatter. When I make a very concious effort to rotate the key all the way it never happens. Better late than never I guess!