So…thanks for accepting me as a new member…
2000 F150 Triton V8. New (not re-built) starter (3rd starter in as many months) New Battery, New Alternator…Just tuned 200k miles.

I turn ignition key…Click,click click goes starter.
Open hood, pull off neg terminal, replace… Turn ignition switch usually starts right up with vigor.
Sometimes need to repeat…once or twice..

Have talked to everyone I know…. no ideas

Got to be something dumb.. Or at least beyond me.

Thanks in advance for any help..


Anybody here familiar with this?
Love my truck.

 

Probably a "bad" battery connection or cable.

Do voltage drop tests to isolate. If you don't know how to do those, google that term for tutorials.

 

Like voltage drop or continuity of the negative cable? Check for intermittent ground? Thanks for response...

 

All cables. Voltage drop. Under load.

 

I've posted this before for this type situation, but I suspect most dont understand the method or principals.. But here goes....

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Intermittent starter behavior?

Do the standard four voltage drop tests under load (cranking or attempting to).....which is the basic starter system diagnostic method. (Assuming you have some electrical diagnostic background.)
Use vom with min max mode and a couple long aligator clips.Should take about 20 min

1 battery + - terminals: doesn’t fall below 9.6 while cranking verifies battery and charge level good.

2 bat+ to solenoid +big wire input, should be near zero volt drop. More than 0.5volts and theres a wiring issue in this circuit.

3 solenoid/starter ground to bat neg terminal…..should be near zero voltage drop. More than 0.5volts and theres a wiring issue in this circuit.

4 Solenoid control side + to battery + terminal. should be near zero voltage drop. More than 0.5volts and theres a wiring issue in the circuit.

If all the above is good, then odds are very high its a bad starter.

Do this while starting or attempting to start! Otherwise the numbers are meaningless.

 

I think that your 2000 5.4 uses a starter relay/solenoid to power the starter. That would be what's clicking, probably. I just posted this on a different thread but it might help your troubleshooting. Might have replaced the wrong parts. Didn't see it in your list. Follow your battery positive cable to find it.


Probably looks like this -