Had this common problem happen to me recently. Hopefully I can save you a lot of time as I was able to fix it. Following is a concise series of events as it happened. Car stalled out entering highway (40mph approx). was able to get it to the side and attempted to restart. Took many tries and after 5 mins approx it started and I limped home (4 miles) hoping it wouldn't stall at traffic signals etc. Turned off and tried again and it started ok.
Next morning wouldn't start so now a problem. Did extensive research and read about the recall for ecoboost engines only and all the heartache people were going through. What was interesting was that I couldn't find anyone online who really resolved it. Of course I changed the control module and it worked for one cycle and then the same, a dead car. Checked battery/fuses/starter but no luck.
So I bit the bullet and had it towed to my local Ford dealer and explained in depth what was wrong, including the online conversations. This is where something good happened. The technician took it upon himself to do online research and confirmed the dilemma. I think he saw it as a challenge to himself and took it on and, also, kept me well informed as he progressed on what he found and, importantly, what the cost was running. Much appreciated.
On a side note, I think if you treat these guys with respect you will get a lot more out of them. It's no good going in and complaining about how ford knows about problem and doesn't give a crap about it etc. I really wanted it fixed and I knew it wasn't covered so why haggle? Anyway, he had the car over a week and finally found the problem. It was a pin connector that ran between the module and fuel pump that was shorting. If I recall he said it was under one of the rear seats under carpet. He ordered a new pin connector and it has been fine since.
But, I have lost confidence in the car and will probably trade it in. So, I think there is a good chance that this is the problem that a lot of owners are having. Basically loss of communication between the fuel module and fuel pump, I don't know if I mentioned it earlier but the ecu wasn't throwing any codes which made diagnosing difficult. Hopefully this will save some of you time and money. It ran approx $700 for me but knowing what to look for it shouldn't cost more than $100-$150. Good luck!
Going on the third time in the shop in 30 days. Two fuel pumps have been installed and today, just like the other time, my 2013 Ford Flex did not start and is sitting in my driveway. The time before this, my wife was driving with my two kids in the car when the car died in the middle of an intersection. All three times have been linked to the fuel system. The vehicle will be taken to my local ford dealer in Southern Pines, NC tomorrow for repairs and an inspection. Unfortunately, my vehicle is not part of the massive recall. FORD, RECALL AND FIX ALL FORD FLEX FUEL SYSTEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
- Lawrence B.,
Pinehurst, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Had this common problem happen to me recently. Hopefully I can save you a lot of time as I was able to fix it. Following is a concise series of events as it happened. Car stalled out entering highway (40mph approx). was able to get it to the side and attempted to restart. Took many tries and after 5 mins approx it started and I limped home (4 miles) hoping it wouldn't stall at traffic signals etc. Turned off and tried again and it started ok.
Next morning wouldn't start so now a problem. Did extensive research and read about the recall for ecoboost engines only and all the heartache people were going through. What was interesting was that I couldn't find anyone online who really resolved it. Of course I changed the control module and it worked for one cycle and then the same, a dead car. Checked battery/fuses/starter but no luck.
So I bit the bullet and had it towed to my local Ford dealer and explained in depth what was wrong, including the online conversations. This is where something good happened. The technician took it upon himself to do online research and confirmed the dilemma. I think he saw it as a challenge to himself and took it on and, also, kept me well informed as he progressed on what he found and, importantly, what the cost was running. Much appreciated.
On a side note, I think if you treat these guys with respect you will get a lot more out of them. It's no good going in and complaining about how ford knows about problem and doesn't give a crap about it etc. I really wanted it fixed and I knew it wasn't covered so why haggle? Anyway, he had the car over a week and finally found the problem. It was a pin connector that ran between the module and fuel pump that was shorting. If I recall he said it was under one of the rear seats under carpet. He ordered a new pin connector and it has been fine since.
But, I have lost confidence in the car and will probably trade it in. So, I think there is a good chance that this is the problem that a lot of owners are having. Basically loss of communication between the fuel module and fuel pump, I don't know if I mentioned it earlier but the ecu wasn't throwing any codes which made diagnosing difficult. Hopefully this will save some of you time and money. It ran approx $700 for me but knowing what to look for it shouldn't cost more than $100-$150. Good luck!
- rikdon, Lakewood, US