92 starting problem
Thread Starter
F150 Rookie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
92 starting problem
First, looks like a great site! 
A little background on my 92 F150. I purchased this at my fatherinlaws estate sale. I wasn't going to let it go cheap cuz I knew it was well taken care of. Only 41,000 miles on her right now. It acted like the battery was dead a few times but I finally figured out it was the solenoid. I put a new solenoid on it the other day and I thought all was good. I should mention I put a new battery in it too. Tonight, I drove it about 30 miles, shut it off and went to start it again about 10 minutes later only to have it, seemingly, not engage the flywheel. I could hear the starter motor turning but that was it. It would just turn. I tried turning the key off and and on again about 5 times before I got out, opened the hood and looked it over. I saw nothing alarming. Got back in the truck and tried one more time, started right up!!
That is the first time this has happened but I am sure it is a sign of something bad in my future with this truck. I don't want to get stuck in the middle of no where with it not starting for me. What do you think it could be?
A little background on my 92 F150. I purchased this at my fatherinlaws estate sale. I wasn't going to let it go cheap cuz I knew it was well taken care of. Only 41,000 miles on her right now. It acted like the battery was dead a few times but I finally figured out it was the solenoid. I put a new solenoid on it the other day and I thought all was good. I should mention I put a new battery in it too. Tonight, I drove it about 30 miles, shut it off and went to start it again about 10 minutes later only to have it, seemingly, not engage the flywheel. I could hear the starter motor turning but that was it. It would just turn. I tried turning the key off and and on again about 5 times before I got out, opened the hood and looked it over. I saw nothing alarming. Got back in the truck and tried one more time, started right up!!
That is the first time this has happened but I am sure it is a sign of something bad in my future with this truck. I don't want to get stuck in the middle of no where with it not starting for me. What do you think it could be?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: chattanooga, TN
Could be one of several things, but it sounds to me like a poor connection somewhere in the battery/charging/starting circuit. First, do the simple, free things like cleaning the ends of both battery cables plus any smaller cables attached to them. On some models, there are 5 or 6 points than need to be cleaned. Also clean the ground strap between the engine and frame/chassis. It just might solve your problem.
Another method is to isolate each of these connections, one at a time, and test for resistance through the connection with an ohm meter. There should be virtually no resistance across each of the connections.
After doing that, hit the starter with a hammer several times while someone turns the ignition key to the "start" position. If this works, the burshes in the starter are sticking or worn out. Based on the low mileage and age of the vehicle, I would suspect the brushes are sticking, not worn out.
Good luck.
Another method is to isolate each of these connections, one at a time, and test for resistance through the connection with an ohm meter. There should be virtually no resistance across each of the connections.
After doing that, hit the starter with a hammer several times while someone turns the ignition key to the "start" position. If this works, the burshes in the starter are sticking or worn out. Based on the low mileage and age of the vehicle, I would suspect the brushes are sticking, not worn out.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
F150 Rookie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Could be one of several things, but it sounds to me like a poor connection somewhere in the battery/charging/starting circuit. First, do the simple, free things like cleaning the ends of both battery cables plus any smaller cables attached to them. On some models, there are 5 or 6 points than need to be cleaned. Also clean the ground strap between the engine and frame/chassis. It just might solve your problem.
Another method is to isolate each of these connections, one at a time, and test for resistance through the connection with an ohm meter. There should be virtually no resistance across each of the connections.
After doing that, hit the starter with a hammer several times while someone turns the ignition key to the "start" position. If this works, the burshes in the starter are sticking or worn out. Based on the low mileage and age of the vehicle, I would suspect the brushes are sticking, not worn out.
Good luck.
Another method is to isolate each of these connections, one at a time, and test for resistance through the connection with an ohm meter. There should be virtually no resistance across each of the connections.
After doing that, hit the starter with a hammer several times while someone turns the ignition key to the "start" position. If this works, the burshes in the starter are sticking or worn out. Based on the low mileage and age of the vehicle, I would suspect the brushes are sticking, not worn out.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
F150 Rookie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Is there a way to figure out the problem when it is working? I mean, right now, it seems to be working. Last night was the first time it has just sat there and spun without engaging anything. I know my leads to the battery and solenoid are good as I just replaced them and shined them all up.
Thread Starter
F150 Rookie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Iowa