Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 690

4R70W Transmission 

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect the Digital Transmission 

Range (DTR) sensor electrical connector. See Fig. 3 . Do not pry on the swivel tube to disconnect the 
transmission shift linkage. Disconnect the instruction lever shift control cable. Remove the manual control 
lever nut and discard. Remove the lever.  

2. Loosen the DTR sensor bolts. Instruction shift lever must be in the Neutral position. Using the Transmission 

Range Sensor Alignment Gauge (307-351), align the DTR sensor slots. See Fig. 4 . The tool is designed 
to fit snug. Tighten the bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .  

3. Install and position the instruction control lever. Install a NEW manual lever shaft outer nut and torque to 

specification. With the instruction lever in overdrive connect the shift lever control cable. Install the DTR 
sensor electrical connector. Lower the vehicle. Connect the battery ground cable.  

Fig. 3: Identifying Digital Transmission Range Sensor Components (4R70W) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

NOTE:

When the battery is disconnect and reconnected, some abnormal drive 
symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The 
vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to relearn the strategy.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 STARTING & CHARGING SYSTEMS Starters - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 4: Aligning Digital Transmission Range Sensor (4R70W) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

TROUBLE SHOOTING 

Verify customer compliant by operating starting system. Check battery for state of charge. Check cable 
connections at battery and starter motor. Ensure transmission is fully engaged in Park or Neutral, or clutch pedal 
is fully depressed. Check central junction box fuse No. 21 (15-amp). Check Gray fusible links, located at 
positive battery cable. On models equipped with anti-theft system, ensure anti-theft system is operating 
properly. See appropriate PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT for 
additional information. If problem is not found, repair by symptom. See SYMPTOM INDEX table under 
SYSTEM TESTS. 

SYSTEM TESTS 

SYMPTOM INDEX 

Symptom

Perform Test

Engine Does Not Crank & Relay Clicks

A

Engine Does Not Crank & Relay Does Not Click

B

Engine Cranks Slowly

C

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 STARTING & CHARGING SYSTEMS Starters - F150 Pickup

  

TEST A: ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK & RELAY CLICKS 

1. Verify battery condition. If battery is okay, measure voltage between each Red wire at starter motor relay 

and ground. Battery voltage should be present at one Red wire only. If battery voltage is present on one 
Red wire, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present on either Red wire, repair or replace Red wire 
between battery and starter motor relay cable. Check system operation.  

2. Measure voltage between starter motor solenoid "B" terminal and ground. See Fig. 5 . If battery voltage is 

present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, clean and tighten battery and solenoid terminal 
connections. If battery voltage is still not present, replace positive battery cable. Check system operation. 

3. Using jumper wire, connect one end to positive battery terminal and with other end, momentarily touch 

starter solenoid "S" terminal. See Fig. 5 . If solenoid engages, go to next step. If solenoid does not 
engage, replace starter motor. See STARTER MOTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Check 
system operation.  

4. Using heavy gauge jumper wire, connect one end to positive battery terminal and with other end, 

momentarily touch starter solenoid "M" terminal. See Fig. 5 . If starter spins, go to next step. If starter 
does not spin, replace starter motor. See STARTER MOTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. 
Check system operation.  

5. Disconnect solenoid relay switch connectors. Disconnect starter motor solenoid connectors. Measure 

resistance of Red wire between starter motor relay and starter solenoid. If resistance is less than 5 ohms, 
replace starter motor relay. If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair or replace Red wire between starter 
relay and starter solenoid. Check system operation. 

Unusual Starter Noise

D

Starter Spins But Does Not Crank Engine

(1)

(1)

Inspect starter motor mounting. Inspect flywheel ring gear and starter motor gear for damaged and 
missing teeth. Repair or replace components as necessary.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 STARTING & CHARGING SYSTEMS Starters - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 5: Identifying Starter Solenoid Terminals (Typical) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

TEST B: ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK & RELAY DOES NOT CLICK 

1. Remove fuse No. 111 (40-amp) in battery junction box. Check continuity of fuse No. 111. If fuse No. 111 

is okay, reinstall fuse and go to next step. If fuse No. 111 is open, install new fuse and go to step 15 .  

2. Remove fuse No. 21 (15-amp) in central junction box. Check for continuity of fuse No. 21. If fuse No. 21 

is okay, reinstall fuse and go to next step. If fuse No. 21 is open, install new fuse, and go to step 18 .  

3. Measure voltage between ground and input side of central junction box fuse No. 21 while holding 

ignition switch in START position. If battery voltage is present, go to step 6 . If battery voltage is not 
present, go to next step.  

4. Disconnect ignition switch 15-pin connector. Measure resistance in Red/Light Blue wire between input 

side of central junction box fuse No. 21 and ignition switch connector terminal STA. See Fig. 6 . If 
resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or greater, repair open in Red/Light 
Blue wire between ignition switch and central junction box. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Check system 
operation. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 STARTING & CHARGING SYSTEMS Starters - F150 Pickup