1998 F150 4.6

In the three months that I have owned this vehicle this morning was the third time it stranded me with a starter issue. You can hear an audible click when trying to start the vehicle but it does not engage to turn it over. There is no grinding, ratcheting or spinning sound from the pinion either just a single click. The last two times this happened rapping on it (the starter) with a hammer engaged it so I could take it to the place I bought it. Replacing the starter remedied the situation on both previous occasions.

I can't tell you much about the trouble shooting observations as I have been returning the vehicle to the garage I bought it from and they have replaced the starter each time. What would be causing what I assume to be the solenoid sticking/becoming inoperable three times in the past three months? What should I be asking the guy or telling the guy I bought it from when I take him the vehicle. I am at this point inclined to go after the issue myself or take it to someone else. Mechanical work I don't mind but electrical work I know little to nothing about.

 

If hitting the start has fixed the issue.. Its got to be the starter.. Or a short somewhere.. Are they replaceing the starter.. or just the selenoid... Sound to me like its the starter..

 

According to the place I bought it from on each occasion they replaced the starter. I do not know if the starter and the solenoid are seperate stand alone units or if when purchased it typically comes as a starter/solenoid assembly. I know on other vehicles where I have replaced starters myself that is was an entire assembly of both the starter and solenoid but I can not say 100% for sure what is going on in this case as I am not the one who did the actual replacement. Hitting it allows me to start the vehicle, actually I have to have someone turn the ignition while I hit it. I can say that once started and turned off the issue repeats, hitting it only allows me one start.

 

Sounds like a starter to me... I would crawl under there and see if the starter and selenoid look new... If not.. I would replace both... I beleive you can get them seperate... But i always replace both at one tiem

 

Thanks for the replies. When I have crawled under there to hit it it does indeed look brand new. This will be the third one replaced in three months but like I said given the fact that I have not replaced it myself I can not say with 100% certainty what was replaced on which occasion. It just seems like an odd coincidence that this is my third starter in as many months.

 

You could check the wires going to the starter.. But it just really sounds like bad starter brushes.. And they shouldnt be wearing out that fast...

 

The starters on these trucks are pretty well designed and the solenoid is built in. I would check the starter circuit relay. Its located on the engine firewall behind the battery and next to the primary ignition fuses. There is a starter circuit troubleshooting guide in the Haynes which will guide you through the steps to isolate the components, but in my experience the relay is usually first to go before the starter. They are $20 or so and take about 10 minutes to change. Also take the time to clean and tighten your battery connections, and do a quick visual inspection of the wiring going from the fuse to the starter. Most of the starting system on this truck can be checked visually. Good luck

 

It was definately the starter. Just for the heck of it I jumped the relay in the engine compartment and I could hear the pinion actuate but nothing from the starter motor. I had my girlfriend turn it over while I rapped on the starter with a hammer and it turned over. The next question is what could make three starters go kaput in a three month (2,000 mile) span?

This can't be a coincidence.

 

Maybe a weak or corroted battery.. but i highly doubt it... When it starts... does it sound like it starts easy or hard like the batterys low... I would buy a good start with a warrenty.. Or better yet find a place that will rebuild it... They will usually do a better job than about anyone

 

It turns over quickly and fires up quite well. Last starter had lifetime warranty.