Wont Start?

[JustUsDe]

My 1995 Ford F-150 5.0l truck started not wanting to turn over on occasion the past couple of weeks. It would just click than it would start. Yesturday it wouldnt start and I just tried it again and it still wont start. It just has a hard click and thats it. I tried to jump start it and that didnt work. I dont think its the battery. I hear the click from what I think is the selenoid on the passenger fender. Could that be the problem? Should I replace it first? If I replace it and still have a problem is it the starter? Any help would be great.
Ray

[John DiMartino]

Ray put a test light on the soleniod while cranking,you want the thick wire that heads down to the starter, crank and see if it lights up.If it does, check it at the starter motor,if it lights there,you likely have a bad starter. If it doesnt see if it lights constant at the other thick red cable coming in. If its lit on the bat side,and not on the other,when cranking, bad soleniod. Id clean the battery terminals if its not lit on eithewr side,or if they look at all questionable.Since it is clicking you know the trigger wire and ground are working, i suspect a bad solenoid. This isnt the appoved way, but i jump the solenoid with a big wrench or HD screwdriver,across the big terminals, in 2 seconds you can hear it crank and tell if its got a bad solenoid.

[JustUsDe]

John,
Nice to hear from you I havent talked to many on here for a while. I just tried your method, The one I remember my dad using. The first 2 times I did it it the starter cranked. The 3rd and 4 time I have nothing. It looks like I should start with the selenoid first, since its the easiest. What do you think?


Ray

[John DiMartino]

for the money its a good guess,and it couldnt hurt if its not the problem. I would jump it out a few times if its starts erratic or doesnt you need a starter/starter cable..Also for a few bucks a good shop can load test your battery,and check it out for you,do a starter amperage draw test,and check the alt for probably 1/2hr labor charge.Might be with it if you can pinpoint it or have doubts. Sometimes the cables go bad too, you never know.

[JustUsDe]

John,
I just replaced the selenoid on the fender, cleaned the battery terminals and the truck still didnt start. I priced a rebuilt starter while I was at the parts store $120.00. They said it comes with a wire and butt connectors to get rid of the spade wire. I crawled under the truck to see how hard its going to be to change the starter and I saw the spade wire they were talking about and wiggled and pulled on it. Now the truck starts fine. I guess it might be that wire. Since its not cold out. I will let it ride and see what happens. I hate to spend money on plow trucks so far away from making cash.lol

Ray

[wyldman]

The newer Ford use two starter solenoids,on on the fender,and one on the starter.The small solenoid trigger wire gets corroded at the starter.Clean it and it should be OK.If not,it's most likely a bad starter.

[towman]

they have had so many problmns with the spade wire most of the rebuilders put a stud on the new starters that you cut nd solder the old trigger wire to

[Pelican]

Make sure the ground wire to the block is clean too, I've had that be the problem with the conditions described.

[thesnoman]

Originally posted by JustUsDe
John,
I just replaced the selenoid on the fender, cleaned the battery terminals and the truck still didnt start. I priced a rebuilt starter while I was at the parts store $120.00. They said it comes with a wire and butt connectors to get rid of the spade wire. I crawled under the truck to see how hard its going to be to change the starter and I saw the spade wire they were talking about and wiggled and pulled on it. Now the truck starts fine. I guess it might be that wire. Since its not cold out. I will let it ride and see what happens. I hate to spend money on plow trucks so far away from making cash.lol

Ray

That is kinda high. What parts store? Also there is not much to go wrong with a starter, replace solenoid(s) and brushes and lube bushings and you have a new starter if nothing in it is damaged (bearing sleeves and armature and such) I would rebuild it instead forfor that price and you will know what you have then.

[wyldman]

Those Ford starters with the external solenoid aren't cheap.I would recommend you rebuild it,to much other stuff goes wrong.Just use the rebuilt unit,and convert the connection for the solenoid.

[towman]

bought a starter for a 93 taurus today wich is the same style starter, the shop cost was 109.00 and list on it was 193.00, all the newer stuff is getting crazy in price, that is for sure, that was a USA starter wich comes with the updated solonid, some of the reliance we use don;t come with the update yet

[jakegypsum]

I just replaced the starter on our 94 F-150 for the second time. The starter on this truck seems to last approx five years until it needs attention.
They are rather costly. The NAPA dealer near me charges $145.00 for a reman starter, not to mention the $50.00 core.
Same situation with the trigger wire. Cut off the spade and install the post mount pig tail. The spade can cause problems if not replaced. Done many of them.

Jake.

[Pickering Snow]

One thing that happens on the ford piggy back starter is the housing loses its ground threw the block alot of starters get replaced that arnt needed if you remove the starter and clean the deck on the starter and the surface area on the engine block make sure the bolts arent corred going threw the starter bolt holes. If you do have to replace the starter with a reman dont butt splice the trigger wire solder it and heat shrink this winter the butt splice will turn green and leave ya stranded.

[JustUsDe]

Originally posted by thesnoman
That is kinda high. What parts store? Also there is not much to go wrong with a starter, replace solenoid(s) and brushes and lube bushings and you have a new starter if nothing in it is damaged (bearing sleeves and armature and such) I would rebuild it instead forfor that price and you will know what you have then.

The parts store was Western Auto.

Here's an update. It's been over a week or so now since I wiggled that spade wire and the truck has been starting without a problem. I guess I will ride it out and see what happens. Thanks everyone for your help.


Ray

[jakegypsum]

Go for it! Good luck.

Jake

[towman]

towed in an 03 taurus with a bad starter today, ford has done away with the spade wire on them, put a stud on them from the factory like the old days, of course still real pricey, cost the shop 147 dollars

[JustUsDe]

I drove the Ford to work yesturday and when I left the truck wouldnt start again. I wiggled the spade wire and it started. It was raining yesturday and it seems I have this problem when it is damp or rainy. My question is if I pull the spade wire and clean it and put elec grease on it should this solve the problem? I really dont feel like pulling the starter. Am I being lazy, cheap and stubborn? Should I just bite the bullet and buy a starter? I just don't feel that I need a starter, It just seams like that wire is the problem. Just dont want this problem when the snow flies.

[wyldman]

If you really don't want any problems this winter,then at least replace the solenoid with the newer updated style.A complete starter makes it much easier (no disassembly),and you get warranty on the whole thing.

[JustUsDe]

I was afraid you would say that Chris. I guess I knew changing the starter was the right thing to do in the back of my head. I just hate replacing things that seem to be working.

[wyldman]

If the core charge is cheap enough,keep the old one and see if you can repair it.The keep it as a spare,or sell it on ebay or something.

[cat320]

Chris that's a good idea always good to have a back up seams once you start replacing them they go more often.