so I have a 1999 5.4 4x2 and I tried to start it when it was already running (I know stupid, I dont want to here about it) I havent done this ever in my life before but have had friends who have done it many times and never had problems

well I did that and after I turned the truck off to see if it would start again and it started no problem - but when I turned it off again and went to start it it wont even crank over, or click, I know its not the battery so I guess I messed up my starter or solenoid or whatever

I have no problems changing it, I am handy I can probably do it in no time, I just would like to see some pictures of what to do but I cant even afford the starter let alone the repair book, can I get that for free online, or at least that one section for changing the starter

any help would be great, I have to get the truck out of the parking lot its in in 2 days or it will get towed so I plan on doing it in the parking lot where its at now

 

Good day,

I think it is just by chance that your starter is doing this now!! If you have power with the key on, then you have at least 60 amps (or there abouts)... If your starter won't spin, or the soleniod won't click, then you either have a bad solenoid or not enough amps to turn the starter... Does everything blank out when you turn the key to 'start'? I'd check the soleniod and all the power cables to the starter and also the two on the battery...

Since you have a PATS key, make sure the 'security' lamp isn't flashing!! That indicates a mismatch between the key and your PATS module...

Let us know what you find out... Thanks!!

Cheers!!

 

you know I never thought of the PATS thingie but I dont know how this could have come un paired, but anything is possible I guess - didnt notice the dash security light but I will try this tomorrow

when I turn the key the dash goes out but I have tried to jump the truck, I have a battery charger with a jump start feature that runs for 30 seconds before I have to press the button again - I guess it is putting out a lot of amps for a short time to act like a jump start - also tried a normal jump start with no luck

yea I think that it is the starter, so I will have to get a new one - it has 178000 miles on the starter never been replaced so I think I want to get a new one

I have voltage to the starter, I loosened and tightened the nits on the wires in case they were a problem, I touched 2 terminals and it sparked so it has power to it with the key off

 

Also want to throw this in there. My old 99 4.6 had issues with the starter twice where is just randomly died. My problem was the cable rusted right off the started which I told was a common problem. It was a quick fix and everything was good to go. So it could be something small like that. Good luck!

 

Try hitting the starter with a hammer or something while you have somebody else cranking it to see if you can get it to "free up" and start - at least that way you won't have to tow it and you'll know what the problem is (if it starts when you hit the starter, then the starter is bad)!

 

well I got it towed home (22 miles) it was free I have AAA towing - me and the tow guy tried to get it running with many things as well as hitting it but nothing worked

I got it home and I noticed the ground cable from the battery to the body was sorta broken, it was a eye hook and part of it was broken so it could slip around the bolt - I didnt notice this before I towed it so maybe we did it as we were pulling on wires and stuff

but I tried to start it and it started just fine, I turned it off and it started fine again - but the 3rd time it wouldnt start, it did the same thing as before so I replaced the ground cable and tried it again - it started fine but when I tried it again it wouldnt start anymore

I will have to load test the battery to see if thats the problem, also see if I am getting the 200 amps or so to the starter when I crank the key - I got a VAT machine hell I got a whole garage with a pneumatic hoist in the ground, I just dont know where to start so I am going to put it up in the air tomorrow and take a look



I tried the hammer trick but no luck

I have an old WW2 field radio manual and in the troubleshooting section it actually says at the end of everything to try, the last thing says "give a firm rap on side with fist" lol

 

cant delete this so I am typing this here

 

the link below was the solenoid, might help you.
https://www.f150forum.com/f6/2000-f-...ttently-49654/

 

yea I think that that is the problem, I will have to see with some tests but I was not sure yet

I have like 178000 miles on that starter so I should replace it even if its not broke but I will see

thanks for the help I will work on it more when it is a little warmer here and let you know whats up