Matthew Burr

did the starter turn when you connected the solenoid to ur ignition switch or after u turned ur key switch or before the key switch was connected? lots of possibilities you left out... the solenoid is a very simple device. you close one circuit and it creates an electromagnet that closes a second circuit. very easy to test. disconect the battery and turn the key, if you hear the (new) solenoid click every time you turn the key then ur ignition is fine and ur starter is the problem.

acmetim

[MENTION=155006]Matthew Burr[/MENTION],
starter would turn any time the wire from battery was connected to solenoid. with or with out key in ignition

Matthew Burr

with a brand new out of the box solenoid? and with or without attaching the ignition wire?

acmetim

new from box solenoid. ignition wire was attached. i am assuming the adjustment of the ignition switch somehow got out of whack. but after doing some reading on here i am gonna replace all battery and starter wires with 2 awg. also run another 2awg ground wire.

ligito

My 83 F150 4.9L is acting up, now that the temp is 22 degrees.
It started but the starter continued to spin, until I forced the switch back and then it died.
It would not return to the run position.
I thought the lubricant inside the switch, or lock was gummed up.
I talked to my locksmith and he said it may be the linkage in the column that is sticking, rather than the switch, or lock.

I'll try WD40 and see if it helps.
I have a new Ford big battery, I think it's called the MAX.

It was OK, until cold weather hit.
Never happened before.

I had a Studebaker that the solenoid stuck in the on position in cold weather, when I had to crank a lot to get it started.
I always had to pull the negative cable off, to interrupt it.
I assumed the solenoid plate was pitted and not making enough contact, so it fused together and stuck.
The key always returned to run position, though, which makes me wonder if the issue on my F150 is more related to switch, or linkage.

ligito

The small plastic ***** on a 54 Ford sedan delivery did some real damage to my kneecap, during a T-bone accident.

ligito

28 degrees.
I just sprayed WD40 into my lock and it now functions properly.
I'll try it again, tomorrow, after it sits all night again.
It's supposed to get down to 15 degrees, tonight.

ligito

Does not like freezing weather.
The lock freezes.
Had to wait until it warmed up before it worked properly.
WD40 worked the first time, only.

I didn't want to get stuck away from home, so used my other truck.

acmetim

I would guess the problem is in the ignition linkage. Based on what I found... Drop the column and loosen the 2 screws that keep the ignition switch where it should be on the column. Play with it. Little forward, little backwards till you find what it likes. My guess

Fordiac

had similar problem with my 79. threw new cables, ignition switch, solenoid, and starter. the starter would stay engaged after I bumped the ignition a few times, only way to stop it was to unhook the battery. went through 3 new solenoids and same thing kept happening. turned out the starter was backfeeding, I ran a ground off the starter and no problem 4 months later.