Hi,

I’ve got a 2015 Ford Fiesta Ecoboost (manual) and I’ve been having an intermittent starting issue. Sometimes when I turn the key, nothing happens — no crank. But sometimes if I move the gear stick into gear (usually while turning the key), it suddenly kicks in and starts.

 

It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s becoming more frequent. The battery is good, and the terminals are clean and tight

Has anyone else experienced something similar or found a fix for this?

 

Thanks in advance 

Faulty switch on the clutch pedal. The car won't start unless it knows the clutch pedal is fully pushed down.

4 minutes ago, unofix said:

Faulty switch on the clutch pedal. The car won't start unless it knows the clutch pedal is fully pushed down.

I’ve had this checked at a garage and they confirmed that’s not the issue

34 minutes ago, levimontgomery said:

I’ve had this checked at a garage and they confirmed that’s not the issue

When the solution advised above looks very plausible, I'm not trying to be negative (much) but what exactly did they say they did?
I'd like:
Switch checked for continuity ideally with ability to handle a couple of Amp.
Wiring connector pin drag test to ensure good connection.
Wiring load tested back to PCM or other module.
Only when all of that is confirmed good could I even start to rule it out (and not completely)
This would likely take a lot longer than testing the switch for continuity and pronouncing all well.
Am I being unreasonable?

1 hour ago, levimontgomery said:

I’ve had this checked at a garage and they confirmed that’s not the issue

Was it was checked by a Ford dealer using Ford diagnostic equipment, or it was checked by a guy with a meter ?

There is very often two switches on the clutch pedal, one at the top and one at the bottom, were they both checked ?

Using FORScan it will be a simple matter to determine why the start is being inhibited when you turn the key to start. On a 2015 model it could also be a faulty ignition switch, but proper diagnostics need to be carried out.

On 4/8/2025 at 10:56 AM, unofix said:

Was it was checked by a Ford dealer using Ford diagnostic equipment, or it was checked by a guy with a meter ?

There is very often two switches on the clutch pedal, one at the top and one at the bottom, were they both checked ?

Using FORScan it will be a simple matter to determine why the start is being inhibited when you turn the key to start. On a 2015 model it could also be a faulty ignition switch, but proper diagnostics need to be carried out.

Thanks, I am going to look into this myself. Which switch would it be that I’d need to check? I imagine the Starter Inhibator switch? Or could the cruise control one be the issue too?