I'm new to the forum and asking questions on forums all around. I have a problem that is happening to me due to my ignorance when I replaced my starter relay. I have a 2001 5.4 automatic. When I replaced the relay I didn't see the wire that goes towards the alternator had fallen down by the valve cover, I tight all the rest down on to the relay and the truck started for me. As soon as I stepped around to the battery I looked it over and noticed the wire I missed to attach on the realy. I shut the engine off , and hooked it on... but I was in a hurry so I put that wire on the top terminal of the relay.. I know for a fact now it was suppose to be on the bottom terminal.. but I tried to start it. It just clicked. Then realizing what I did I changed the wire around. But now It still won't start. The gauges check them selfs when you turn the key but the Speedo has a hard time moving smoothly. I put a new battery I had in to it make sure it was getting enough power, but same thing. I can hear the starter relay click when I try to turn it over. But when I try to cross the terminals with a screwdriver it doesn't crank either. Can a starter relay click but still be bad? Could I have fried something by trying to start it with the wire on the wrong terminal? I also tested my starter straight from my battery but I had no luck getting it to crank or even bump. I just though I'd ask if I should be looking for fuses and wires or starter and new relay? Any information would help out alot. Thank you

 

Yes, a starting solenoid can engage and not make a connection but that usually comes from low power and making it chatter away to the point the contacts are bad. At least it used to be that way. If your starter isn't turning over direct to the battery I think you have a starter problem, or the connection to it.

 

Sounds like you fried relay IMO. Connecting it up wrong can do that. It won't even crank cross terminal now correct ? Everything was fine before you reconnected the missing cable right ? Other than the obvious of course. So you totally removed that cable and tried it again as well correct ? Now there is no crank at all.

Yea, fried the relay I expect.

 

The 01's have a split cable to the battery boxed in plastic. Check the fuses in there. It's right at the battery, close to the terminal. Very easy to check all this with a cheap meter.

Probably better check the inline fuse in the alt harness as well, it may have blew connecting it up wrong. That won't cause a no crank, but the battery won't keep it's charge if that one went as well.

 

Thank you all for your input! I did not try to remove the and try it again. I will go out and try that. I did try to start it a bunch with a dead battery on it so it makes sense. I will check those fuses and in line fuse to the alt. I hope its something easy. I hope I will never make this mistake again

 

Dont be too hard on yourself- a man that never made a mistake, never did anything!
Live and learn, youll know the next time!