jstuder85

2003 F150 4.2L Truck will only crank after I remove and put back on one of the battery cables. Doesn't matter which one I remove (pos or neg).
It starts right up normal. If I leave it off for a few minutes it will not restart until I remove and install a cable again. When it doesn't start there is
a buzzing noise in the dash. Sounds like it is coming from behind the speedometer gauge. I have also put the charger on it on boost and didn't
change the starting behavior. I changed out the battery I have cleaned all the connections. Checked starter connection and all are tight. I also
put a new pcm module relay in.A guy replaced the starter a few days ago for my brother. He also put a new solonoid on the firewall. What all
started this is that the starter was spinning but it did not engage the flywheel. That's why the new starter was put on.
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS, Jeff

jstuder85

UPDATE: I found out this is a 2004 F150 Heritage 4.2L

paker

As far as I know, what are between battery and starter relay are ignition switch and neutral switch ( transmission position switch). Movement of internal parts of these two devices are purely mechanical, not electro-mechanical. Therefore, battery cycling should have nothing to do with these two., I wonder if your F150 has the anti-theft feature. The setup places another relay between battery starter relay. IF the anti-theft relay gets triggered, it will cut off current to starter relay. Since the anti-theft relay is an electro-mechanical device, it can be affected by battery cycling (at least in principle).

EDIT: A starter has 2 parts, the motor that spins and a solenoid that pushes the motor to the flywheel. The previous problem apparently was caused by the solenoid unable to push the starter gear to the flywheel, and doesn't seem to have anything to do with the current problem.

white89gt

Do you have an aftermarket alarm on it?

jstuder85

Nothing on it after market. There is a theft light blinking .When i turn the key on the light goes out.

Jbrew

Jeff, just so you know, never remove the positive cable by itself or before the negative is removed. That's just one reason one could blow up in your face.

When removing cables, ALWAYS neg first.

When installing cables, ALWAYS pos first.

Better safe than real sorry.

jstuder85

I'll remember that. I didn't know they could blow up. Thanks