I have this same problem on my 2000 f-150. It's a triton V8. With so many guys posting about the same situation there must be someone out there who knows the fix. Mine started out only happening every once in a while. Now it is becoming more frequent. I hate these intermitten problems. If anybody has any new information I wiould sure appreciate it. To me it seems to be something to do with the iginition switch or the way it locks into park. And just like " xjimbos" said it seems to make a difference as to how you turn the iginition switch. Sometimes I fiddle with putting it in and out of park and this also seems to be the fix sometime. Sure would like to figure this out.

Thanks

 

Anyone with this problem should definitely re-torque the bolts holding the starter in place. Don't forget about that bastard top bolt!

 

in my 07 screw it was the ring gear

 

Hey Fellers-
Thought I had the starter problem figured out. Turned the key slowly all week, no grinding. Turned it slowly again, leaving lunch today, and it made the grinding sound again. Twice. Moved the lever through the gears, and tried it again, it started. May be something in the column/ignition switch.

 

Hey Builderman.........I am getting the same feeling .....that it may have something to do with the ignition switch or in the column.....have you noticed how many people have described having the same problem and a lot of them get the starter replaced and the problem re-occurs......I checked the flywheel.....it is not the flywheel the teeth are in good condition.....I believe I have it narrowed down to the ignition switch , a problem in the coloumn or a problem with the shift linkage where the vechicle thinks it is not in park and the vechicle is already running....
this is just a gut feeling....... ..there has to be a ford guy out there somewhere who knows what this is....I have seen this very same problem described all over the internet.......I have enough experience working on vechicles to know when the problem is simply the starter....let me know if you find out anything else I will do the same for you

 

Has anyone who has had this problem had any luck on figuring out what the cause is ? I am still trying to find the culprit !

 

Mine was the fly wheel. No problem since

 

It sounds like a common problem with these trucks...it is quite irritating. I am actually lucky, it only happens to me when there's not many people around. If there's a pretty girl around, I just say a prayer before I start my truck and it works fine...That has been my solution

I guess the solution to the problem lies in either the starter or flywheel in most cases...i guess its a toss-up, or you just gotta replace both...