lockwood

i own a '97 F-150 w/4.6L. I went to start it the other day and for some reason it will not start. The first time i tried to start it i heard a noise that i can only describe as something either falling or locking up. Now when i try to turn it over all i hear is a click when i turn the key and click when i release the key. I had the starter check and it was good. I replaced the ignition solenoid and still nothing. The battery seems to be good. My gauge stays the same when im trying to start the truck. Not being mechanically inclined and not having the money to put it in the shop nor knowing who to trust has me at a lost on what to do next. Does anybody have any suggestions.

kaboom10

Grab a socket and breaker bar and put it on the crankshaft bolt. See if you can turn it over by hand. If you can the starter would be my guess but check the condition of the cables and connections.

__________________
2002 5.4L 4wd F-150 FX4
4.88 gears, trans shift kit, IAS shocks
Carbon Kevlar brakes all around w/Baer rotors and stainless steel hoses. LiveWire tuned by myself w/SCT Pro Racer Package. Remote oil/trans coolers and filters. Array of guages to keep an eye on things.

ToughEnuf

did you attempt to start it in neautral? i had a simillar problem the other week, it was because the bracket at the end ot the gear ship collum above the steering arm was loose and was not completely sitting in the parked position to allow the ignition to engage

__________________
When the going gets rough, suck it up and throw it into 4 wheel high and plow through the junk

Count Zero

I'm having the exact same problem.
One day was fine, towing a Uhaual trailer to help a friend move.
2 days later (didn't drive it the day between), turn ignition and it just goes CLICK.

Not the repitition of a dead battery, just a single CICK.

It seems the fuel pump isn't priming, either. I don't hear it and when I press the relief valve on the fuel line, only a tiny little bit dribbles out. That's with the ignition on.

All fuses check out. All lights and other electricals work fine (lights & radio and windows and such).
Battery fine.
All the grounds and wires that I can find look ok.

I even jumped the solenoid, and hear the starter motor do a single CLICK, then nothing.

I moved the shifter around, and tried starting in neutral, but get same thing.


Help?

TheJMC

Check for corrosion in the wires at the starter. The corrosion wicks up the cable and limits the current getting to the starter.

.

__________________
Regards,
Jean Marc Chartier
Warn XD900i E-fans, M5OD w/ Hurst short throw, Procharger @12psi, Troyer tuned.
Swap notes 4.6 to 5.4; http://www.f150online.com/forums/art...ml#post3570245

Count Zero

Actually, not only was the the motor's wire connector corroded, it completely broke off as soon as I started to undo the nut.
:O

But the motor itself was bad (the single click I heard was the solenoid activating its pinion).
Put new starter in, runs like a charm.
(obviously I was wrong about the fuel pump not working....it does)