Not sure but this could be the original starter in there from the factory in 1998.
Got the truck used over a yr ago, had to get a new battery around that time, its a Die Hard from Advanced auto.
During the winter there was a day or 2 when I turned the key and there was just a click....another try and she started up.
Today in the AM with some cold temps, it did that, but the 2nd try just clicked as well....sounded like the starter was clicking
but not running. Noticed also that the Stereo lost its clock setting which is odd. That means the battery took a dip without
turning the eng over. I moved the shifter lever with my foot on the brake pedal but no change. One more try and it turned over
and started up. Gonna have it changed out Tuesday, mechanic briefly turned the key a few times to hear the starter run, said it sounds
ok but could have a dead spot somewhere. I remember a friend of mine had a Ranchero and he kept a small sledge hammer in the
back and when his starter would die he would give it a shot and it would run fine again ...Ford starters all like that?

 

Most likely you have a bad starter.It's drawing a lot of current at times which loads down the battery enough for you to lose your radio presets.

 

Thats what I was thinking too.

Today something different - turned the key and nothing...no click and the radio clock stayed up fine.

It was in park so I moved the shifter lever over more to the left as theres a little play, put my foot on the brake and it started fine.

So maybe the neutral safety switch is going out too? I guess thats mounted on the tranny?

 

Ok it failed 2 more times , one totally dead no click, the other the starter or the relay was clicking.
Both times I moved the shifter lever in park, and the other time over to reverse and back and she started up fine.

I actuated the shifter from P to 1 several times to maybe knock some corrosion off the neutral switch, so far seems to
have helped. I got a new switch from Auto Zone, so will have the mechanic put that in....not sure how long the starter
has been in there tho. If its the original Ford from 1998 I think probably may as well change it.

 

The new neutral switch is in, they did a testing of the alternator / batt and starter system and said all is fine.
So I guess will leave that starter in there until it starts to act up. So far no more issues trying to start.

 

Did you check the voltage on the battery ?

 

I personally did not, but the shop checked it. Its a new die hard only 1 yr old, supposedly a 3 yr battery.....

 

So not out of the woods yet.

Happened again, just a click no starter turn and the clock in the stereo reset.

Waited a few mins, tried again, no difference. I tried to move the shifter lever but I was on a slight incline
and could not move to reverse position.

After more tries I tried the flashers to see if the batt was still good, there was just a buzzing sound
so I thought this time the battery went. Eventually there was no click sound when turning the key
so for sure thought the batt went out. The key in ignition reminder bell was also silent so called my friend for a jump start.

He showed up with one of those Narco boosters , hooked it up and still just a click , but the headlights seemed to work
and the reminder bell was now working.

Left that hooked up while he got a hammer and went under and banged the starter. I tried a few more times but no difference
so I was really thinking the batt was the problem, or the alt was not charging the batt. Previous night was sort of chilly, like 33 deg
and it took 2 cranks to start , but ran fine all the way thru the morning.

Finally he climbed into the eng compartment a little and was trying to turn the belt I guess to see if the motor wasnt seized. Took a lot of strength but he moved it a little, then
he said try now. I did and it started right up...!
He said the motor was TDC I guess saying somehow that was not allowing the starter to engage? But he insists the starter is the issue....I dont really understand
so I got a new starter just gotta get it put in.

Just to be sure I had the batt tested at Advance Auto, they said ok and tests said it was 13V.

 

So this epic finally concluded, seems like it was multiple issues.

Starter def on the way out, both alt and starter original Ford OEM in there from 1998.
Apparently the alternator diodes can leak, and "Bleed" the battery. I think that was what was happening
as I found it weird the battery being only 1 yr old was acting up.

Had a shop put in a new Starter and Alternator, they had claimed the battery tested ok (as did 2 other places)
and it did not give them trouble, but wanted me back in 90 days to test it.

I turned the key at the shop, and it started but got back home and the same issue returned.
Took the battery out and let it trickle charge overnight, in the AM it was only drawing 0.09 A
so it was full.

Put it back in and still same thing!

Happened to notice the negative clamp for the batt was a little loose, so turned it by hand and it became looser,
then gripped tight. Tried start and first shot came right up.

Headed to BAttery Warehouse for a 5 yr 850CCA new battery, they installed it, tested the charging sys
and gave it a passing grade.

Been fine since, and I notice the new starter spins a lot faster and the eng starts up faster.

Only glitch is a squeal from apparently the serpentine belt.

Saw a video where someone just cleaned it really good, both sides
while mounted on the pulleys.

I tried a mix of 2 parts Fantastic to 1 part Ammonia directly on the belt and some pulleys.
and put some on a scotchbrite pad and let it rub on the belt. Let it sit a while and no more squeal on startup.
It did squeal on me 1 time at medium RPM during heavy rain last night, but seems much better.
The video said to clean it then apply Auto Zone 103 rejuvinator to the belt. I have Armor All and will try that
perhaps at some point.