Engine rotates but will not start - 2004 Ford F350

Assuming that the new starter and battery are not defective (one easily could be), the next thing to check for would be to verify that the engine is not seized up. Get a breaker bar wrench and fix it to a socket that is the size of the crankshaft pulley nut. Place the socket over the nut, and, facing the engine, attempt to rotate the crankshaft in a clock wise direction. If it turns, then the engine is not seized. If it won't turn at all, then next, remove all spark plugs and try to rotate the engine again. If it still won't rotate, you have serious internal engine issues. If it does rotate after removing the plugs, you may have had hydrolock, where gasoline fills the cylinders and won't allow the engine to rotate. If it rotates, then try to use the starter again briefly with the plug removed. Obviously it won't start, but if it rotates, you can put the plugs back in and try again, hopefully with success. If the engine is seized, unless the car itself is in mint condition, you're better off getting a new car than trying to repair this one just based on age.

white smoke could be head gasket leak. but white smoke will come with warm engine. If engine is first start cold. IT's only water in exhaust system

A common problem is the crank sensor fails or gets out of adjustment. This device senses engine rotation and when it fails to send pulses the engine is assumed to be NOT rotating. When engine rotation ceases for a few seconds, the fuel pump is turned off. This is a safety feature to prevent fuel being pumped if vehicle is in wreck or whatever. The fuel pump is cycled on a few seconds when starting so that engine can start and then rotation is sensed and pump is allowed to continue.

Clicking instead of starting? The clicking is usually the starter solenoid being pushed out to the flywheel. If your engine isn't turning then it means that either your battery is too weak to turn the engine or your starter has malfunctioned or maybe engine that your engine has locked up.

Recommend you either jump start the car or use a battery charger with the start function to see if it is the battery or starter/engine lock up. If the engine still does not turn over. Take off your serpetine belt and try to rotate your engine with a large socket. If the engine rotated, then it is most likely your starter/solenoid that is bad. If the engine would not rotate by hand then something inside the engine has malfunctioned and it will take some serious work to get it operational again.

You didn't post your engine size so please pick the applicable diagram:



1996-98 4.3L Engines Firing Order: 1-6-5-4-3-2Distributor Rotation: Clockwise



1996-98 5.0L, 5.7L and 7.4L Engines Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2Distributor Rotation: Clockwise




4.3L Engines Firing order: 1-6-5-4-3-2 Distributor rotation: Clockwise



4.8L, 5.3L and 6.0L Engines Firing order: 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 Distributorless ignition system (one coil on each cylinder)



5.0L, 5.7L and 7.4L Engines Firing order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Distributor rotation: Clockwise

If the starter was tested outside the car's engine and it worked , thn problem now could be the engine is not free and thus not rotating and the starter therefore can't rotate it too.
Try to rotate the engine by using a box spanner at the front crankshaft pulley and see if it's rotating (the motor).

i need more detailscheck if engine rotate wen attemting 2 start if not rotate check starter pinion or flyweel teeth worn or broken . remove the fly weel/driver plate access cover and inspect---------- ENGINE ROTATES BUT WILL NOT START fuel tank empty,fuel filterplugged or fuel line restricted,fuel pump faulty. check those points good luck

Check to see if you have pulled on the crankshaft sensor and it has come away at the plug.And do the same at the coil pack.

Does the engine rotate at all when trying to start, or won't rotate at all? Clicking sound?
Blown fuse somewhere?
hope this works or clarify some more.

Using a socket and a ratchet/ breaker bar (socket size to get crankshaft pulley) Try rotating engine it should rotate, try to rotate 360 degrees a few times if it does the ENGINE IS NOT SEIZED. Contact if you need more help, Thanks for using FIX YA