2011 Ford F250 Won’t Crank [5 Easy Solutions]

Your 2011 Ford F250 won’t crank due to a dead battery, bad ignition relay, defective ignition switch, faulty starter solenoid, and bad starter. 

If you want to crank or start your engine without any problems, you must address and solve those issues. And this guide will walk you through the step-by-step guide to troubleshooting those problems. So, without further ado, let’s dive in. 

2011 Ford F250 Won’t Crank [5 Easy Solutions]

This chapter will reveal every reason that causes your Ford truck to not crank. 

1. A Dying Or Dead Battery

Ford F250 won’t crank or it will be cranking sluggishly if the life of the battery comes to an end. You will notice this if the battery is dead.

Hard starting in the cold mornings, sluggish cranking, or no cranking are some common signs you will observe if the battery gets bad. If you see any corrosion on the terminals of the battery, it seems the battery gets damaged. 

Solution:

Before throwing the battery in the bin, we suggest you measure the voltage of the battery. In this case, get a voltmeter and set the two leads on one positive terminal and another one on the negative terminal.

If you get a reading below 12.3V, the battery is the culprit. In this case, you should replace the battery with a new one to get the power to start your F250. 

2. Bad Ignition Relay

Every modern car, including the Ford F250, has relays in the fusebox. Each relay controls different components of your car. For example, a relay can control the AC system, while the other one is controlling the headlight. 

Similarly, there is also a relay for the ignition system. If the ignition relay gets damaged, it won’t deliver any power to the ignition and fuel pump components.

Consequently, you will fail to crank or start the engine. Car stalling, starting or cranking issues, and dead battery are some signs of a bad ignition relay.

Solution:

Diagnose the relay first before replacing it. And the following video will show you how to check the relay correctly: 

After inspecting the relays one by one following the guide mentioned in the video, replace the ignition relay if you find it faulty. If you are not mechanically inclined, don’t hesitate to call a professional to make the replacement for you. 

3. Ignition Switch Gets Defective

The ignition switch is responsible for delivering power to the starter motor, ignition system, and other electricals related to this.

If the ignition switch is at fault, it will no longer supply any power to those parts. As a result, your 2011 Ford F250 will fail to start or crank the engine. 

Here are some signs you will notice if the ignition switch gets bad: 

• The engine won’t start 
• Prevent from powering on the accessories 
• The starter motor produces no noise

Solution:

Replacing the ignition switch is a must to start your F250 without any hesitation. You can read our guide on replacing the ignition switch.

Alternatively, you can bring your car to a professional to replace the ignition switch. In this case, you need to spend around $181 to $219. 

4. Defective Starter Solenoid

A faulty starter solenoid can also be the culprit that causes your Ford truck to not crank. The starter of your car won’t work if the starter solenoid gets defective. It is because the starter receives power from the starter solenoid. 

You will observe the following signs if the starter solenoid is at fault: 

• The engine won’t crank anymore 
• No clicking noise when you attempt to start the engine

Solution:

We recommend you test the starter solenoid first before replacing it. To inspect the starter solenoid electrically, follow the below steps: 

• Find the starter solenoid on your 2011 ford F250. You can get it on the passenger side underneath your car.
• Locate the two wirings- one of them leads to the battery and another one is to the starter motor. 
• Get a circuit tester and ensure the starter solenoid gets power. If it gets no electric power, you should replace the starter solenoid. 

5. Starter Itself Is At Fault

A starter is what turns the engine on. It gets power from the battery and cranks the engine when you turn the ignition key. If it’s at fault, you can never start your car. 

Loose or damaged wiring to the starter, corroded starter connection, and defective relay are some culprits that can cause the starter to go bad. 

The following symptoms will help you in detecting a bad starter: 

• The engine won’t crank or start 
• The engine light will come on but nothing happens
• Smoke may come out of your car 

Solution:

You should call a certified mechanic to inspect and replace the starter professionally as it requires a lot of work. In this case, you need to spend around $150 to $1100 to make the replacement. 

However, you can save this amount of work by doing it yourself. I recommend you watch the below tutorial to learn how to replace the starter if you are mechanically inclined: 

Conclusion

The no-cranking issue on your 2011 Ford F250 is the result of a dead battery, bad ignition relay, bad ignition switch, faulty starter solenoid, and bad starter.

And we discussed what troubleshooting steps you should take to solve those problems. So, follow our guidelines and fix the cranking issue.