mjs

Hi all

I have a '94 F 150, manual transmission and 5.0, that won't start. Yesterday it started fine, later in the day I went to start it, the engine cranked over a few times then nothing. When I turn the key, I get a single loud click (from the relay I assume) and nothing. The battery and connections appear to be fine. I replaced the starter relay and still nothing. A single loud click, nothing else. The interior lights do not dim when I turn the ignition. What could this be?

ymeski56

While immediately blaming the starter it tempting, they usually protest prior to catastrophic failure. Ground connections are equally as important as the POS paths! Load testing the Battery & checking the Alternator output are pieces of the puzzle.

mjs

Re-inspected the battery cables both pos and neg, replaced the positive lead, it was a tiny bit loose and I had a spare one...same thing...one loud click from the relay. Tried jumping the battery, same thing. Both battery and alternator are less than six months old. Engine isn't seized, we moved it in gear and the wheels turned. The clutch saftey switch appears to be working, I can turn the ignition and hold it, it won't make the click at the relay until I depress the clutch. What should I check next? I really don't want to remove the starter unless I have to, it's freezing and snowing out, any other tests I can perform to narrow it down? I assume that the loud click from the relay means it's getting voltage, is this correct? Also, any guesses as to why when it failed the strater turned the engine over strongly for a few seconds and then just stopped suddenly?

olds442111

Dual solenoids on that year truck if I'm not mistaken. One on the fender, the other on the gear reduction starter. Mine failed about a year ago without a moment of warning. 30 dollars of guts later, and the original Motorcraft starter is back in and still going strong today.

mjs

yeah, I have the relay on the fender and a solenoid on top of the starter motor...is there a quick way to test the solenoid without removing it?

olds442111

Not that I know of. Maybe someone has some cool idea that I don't know about though

bobkyle2

sounds to me like its the selenoid on tha starter...the loud clickin is prolly the selenoid on the fender clicking...or the cable on the starter its self....have to tried crossing the selonoid on the fender and seeing if it will crank...make sure its in nutreal...and not in gear

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I bypass solenoids with a screwdriver, but I don't have the second one so I don't know what it looks like to see if it can be done.

bobkyle2

are you getting power to the starter??

mjs

not sure if I'm getting power to the starter or not...the click is definately coming from the relay on the fender. It's brand new. I haven't taken a good look at the solenoid on the starter, so I'm not sure if I can jump test it...