Ok here I go... I have a 1996 F150 6cyl standard transmission. It will not start. Starter is good. Battery is good... Not as strong as preferred, but good... We have also checked to see if it has jumped time and that too has checked out. Could we have a battery cable problem? When I turn the key over the battery gauge reads normal but when I try to turn it over it drops as far negative as possible. No reason to believe the engine has locked up but it will. Of turn over... It tries, but just can't do it..... Any suggestions.....
****side note... It will not start with jumper cables either... Or from the fenders mounted solenoid****

 

Your description is a little unclear; does it turn over? Does it turn at all? Does it just click? Can it be turned over by hand?

Not turning over could be battery, cables, starter or engine.

If you have a hand held voltmeter check voltage at battery and at starter while cranking.

 

Pull starter & have it checked at local Parts Store napa/autozone etc etc


disconnect the Pos Battery terminal & should be 2 bolts & 2 wires to the starter. If its bad be sure they give you one for the standard transmission.


Just to check the engine & associated wiring you could always push start the truck since its a standard tranny.

 

Neutral safety switch??

 

Have you checked for good spark? It almost sounds like it could be a fuel pump or the module.

 

Fuel, air, spark and compression all at the proper timing are what's required for it to start.

But of course none of that matters if it won't turn over properly.

Give a better description of symptoms to aid in diagnostic suggestions.

 

The starter has been replaced, then taken off and checked at the parts store... It is good. It does more than click, it makes the rrrrr....rrrrrrrr.sound and slowly dies down.. No matter how much power we have connected to the battery, it will not do more than that. Our next step is to replace the cables, as I don't know what else it could be. I do not have a voltmeter, it'd be great if I did. The engine doesn't seem to make more than a half a turn. We have not tried turning by hand.

 

Sounds like the starter may not be getting good power. Make sure the engine actually turns and feels normal. Then check cables and connections in starter circuit. Be aware of wire routing and hence current flow. Starter ground often comes through engine block so check all grounding straps for cleanliness and tightness.

Edit:

Could also be bad battery. You said battery could be better.