No crank, no lights, no horn, nothing

1998 FORD E-SERIES VAN
272,000 MILES • 5.4L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DTAVERNE
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  • 2 POSTS
I have an E350 van with a gasoline engine. For a long time the van seemed not to start in the morning when humidity was very high. We live in Florida. This problem would go away in the heat of the afternoon. In the morning it would crank and not start but I had lots of fuel at the schrader valve on the fuel line, etc. Today, however, went to start and it’s dead; like the battery’s disconnected. No horn, no lights. I fiddled with the ignition, wires under the hood, switches, knobs. lights will come on but as soon as I rotate the ignition everything turns off. I put the key in and the warning buzzer comes on, then I pull the headlight switch and everything turns off.
Sep 25, 2019 at 6:34 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 110,175 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Either you have a dead battery or the connection at the battery is weak. A loose or corroded battery cable can cause this type of issue. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Try what is recommended in that link. I have a feeling it is a connection issue. If that isn't the issue, I would see if you can jump start the engine. If you can, then suspect the battery is the issue. Here are couple links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables';

You may also want to try charging the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

Let me know if it helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
Sep 25, 2019 at 7:43 PM