My 1995 F150 XL I-6 has twice now refused to start for me. The relay on the firewall clicks, but the starter did not engage. Both times I was alone and therefore was unable to test to see if the relay was actually sending power to the starter. The first time it happened the truck was cold and the battery fully charged. I put the charger on to verify that it was charged and tried to start the truck with the charger in Jump Start position as well, just to be sure. Just a click. I returned with a helper the next day, only to have the truck start up immediately on the first turn of the key. The truck ran and started fine for the next 5 days. Last night, after starting fine repeatedly throughout the day, same symptons. Of course I was by myself in an empty parking lot and it began to rain. Called AAA and sat on hold forever. About an hour later, having tried push starting it by myself ,repeatedly and unsuccessfully, about the thirtieth time I tried turning the key the starter engaged and my big purple rust bucket roared to life. Before I replace what I think is a bad starter, I would like to diagnose the relay and make sure that it is sending power to the starter solenoid. Which wire on that relay should energise when I turn the key? The truck has 180K plus miles, I bought it from the original owner and don't believe that he ever had to replace the starter. The relay looks newer, but the truck was well taken care of and has a clean engine compartment in general. My ignition is a little loose but I don't think I would even get a click if that were the problem. There is no click without the clutch pedal pressed so I don't think there is a sensor problem. I have seen prettier battery cables, but they aren't badly corroded. Any ideas, info on testing the relay, similar problems, or helpful advice is appreciated.

 

The click is the solenoid working. Check all cable connections then test the starter.

 

Sounds like the connections at your starter. With your symptoms its almost always that.

 

Cables... I had the same problem and the last thing i replaced was my cables since i never though they were so bad to replace. They wont look corroded but further down behind the engine where you cant see, they could get bad, mine were melted and corroded bad on a good 2'' of cable.

 

I had a similar prob on my sis's 88. Ended up being the battery. Did the same thing, started every so often. But just cause the solenoid looks ok doesn't mean it's new...or good for that matter. I'd try that if it was me. Cheapest an easiest part to replace. I've had them click but not work.