Starter not engaging flywheel
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 171
Likes: 20
From: Madison AL
Starter not engaging flywheel
2007 F150 4.2 V6. 110K Miles. Starter replaced 07/2016 due to no rotate failure of starter. So the last few days here in Alabama it has been really cold for us. Down to 11 degrees (F) at night and below freezing for 48 hours plus. My truck sits in the driveway for several days at a time because we usually take the Wife's car with lower mileage for day to day stuff. Over the last few days I have gone out to start the truck and when I turn the key to start I can hear the starter spin up but it doesn't engage the engine. When I turn it a second time it engages and starts. If it only runs a few minutes before I shut it off it will do the same thing. If I drive it for about 30 minutes to stores and different stops it will start every time. Could it be a low voltage on the battery because it has been so cold and not charged by running enough causing the starter to not engage? The starter is still under warranty and I can't imagine it went bad this quick. Ideas?
05 5.4l 3v s.crew lariat
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,505
Likes: 672
From: fl
There are bad reports about rebuilt starters
Chain stores like Auto zone using cheapest supplier producing inferior products .
Some say to get your starter rebuilt instead .
A starter is a heavy current high torque item , meaning it works very hard .
I haven't had any recent experience ,I'm sure others who have will chime in shortly .
Usually anything that works hard and difficult to change its best to get oem or high quality .
How old is that battery , cold reduces battery power . After the engine warms up it is easier to start because the whole compartment is warm .
Get your battery load tested . Any more 3- 4 years is a good life span . Buy a high cca cranking amp battery . Don't economize here 850cca is good . There are recommended charts ,the more electronic stuff you have the more you need . . I buy mine at wally world as I can get it replaced just about anywhere. Definitely check out battery first .
Summer heat kills batteries but they show their weakness when the cold hits . So keep your truck in a cool area during summers . It is funny, Fl people always look for shade to park in even when up north in cold weather . They finally realize their error and laugh about it .
Some say to get your starter rebuilt instead .
A starter is a heavy current high torque item , meaning it works very hard .
I haven't had any recent experience ,I'm sure others who have will chime in shortly .
Usually anything that works hard and difficult to change its best to get oem or high quality .
How old is that battery , cold reduces battery power . After the engine warms up it is easier to start because the whole compartment is warm .
Get your battery load tested . Any more 3- 4 years is a good life span . Buy a high cca cranking amp battery . Don't economize here 850cca is good . There are recommended charts ,the more electronic stuff you have the more you need . . I buy mine at wally world as I can get it replaced just about anywhere. Definitely check out battery first .
Summer heat kills batteries but they show their weakness when the cold hits . So keep your truck in a cool area during summers . It is funny, Fl people always look for shade to park in even when up north in cold weather . They finally realize their error and laugh about it .