Starter differences?
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Starter differences?
My problem began with the starter relay clicking and starter not running. Traced it to a badly corroded wiring harness going to the starter. The starter looked like a barnacle so I decided to replace it as well. Went to local Reilly's and got a starter for my 2000 4.2 V6. Replaced wiring harness with a new one and installed starter. When I tried to start the truck, the starter turned, the Bendix came out but wouldn't engage the flywheel. I thought maybe the starter was not aligned properly and took it back out. Put it back in and assured that it was flat against the mounting face. Tried to start it again and the same thing occurred. At that point, I assumed that it was a bad (re manufactured) starter and took it back. The clerk tested the starter I was returning and it checked out fine! He did allow me to exchange it for another one however. Took it home and installed it......same problem!
It sounds like the starter is turning and throwing out the Bendix but it's not engaging the flywheel. My question is this: are there different types of starters for this engine? The one I took out did not have the half-bell style on the Bendix end. Reilly's tells me that the re-manufactured ones from Mexico are a flat, open-end style like mine but that the Motorcraft $$$ ones do have the half-bell style on the Bendix end. Any help will be appreciated!
It sounds like the starter is turning and throwing out the Bendix but it's not engaging the flywheel. My question is this: are there different types of starters for this engine? The one I took out did not have the half-bell style on the Bendix end. Reilly's tells me that the re-manufactured ones from Mexico are a flat, open-end style like mine but that the Motorcraft $$$ ones do have the half-bell style on the Bendix end. Any help will be appreciated!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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Update on starter differences
After two non-functional starters from O'Reilly's, I decided to bite the bullet and get one from a Ford dealer. The one the dealer had looked like the ones from O'Reilly's except for one minor difference. The starter solenoid on the dealer one appeared to be slightly shorter. Maybe only 3/16". Installed the "Ford" starter and.....started flawlessly!!! I don't know what the difference was but from this experience, if you need to replace your starter, I would recommend getting it from the dealer. They are more expensive, have a higher core charge and are also re-manufactured. But they work!
Now I'm just waiting for the next thing to go wrong with this F150 money pit!
Now I'm just waiting for the next thing to go wrong with this F150 money pit!
