Donnis

1991 Ford F-150
300 inline 6
Standard trans

So the other day I was plowing when I happened to kill the engine. Attempted to restart and had dead battery. Jumped with another vehicle and started right up. Finished plowing and parked and shut off engine. Tried restarting later in the day and no luck. I just get a clicking noise from the solenoid. Charged batteries and tried again and same result. Removed starter and replaced with a new reman starter same result. Returned new starter and had both new and old starter checked both tested good. If I jump the solenoid I just get a power draw but the engine does not crank. I dropped the starter but left it connected and it still would not turn over. I'm beyond stumped. Can anyone help me out with this?

88xlt

I would guess some sort of(not) grounding issue. I would clean the opposite end of the battery cable that hooks onto the negative battery post.

I would also clean the inside of both battery cables where they hook onto the posts, as well as the outside of the battery posts. Do this even if you just had the battery removed and reinstalled. Make sure the battery cables tighten up properly on the battery posts.

FYI if you just let the starter hang by the cable, it won't work unless you ground it somehow. This unrelated to the 2 paragraphs above.

Donnis

I used a multimeter and I'm carrying 12 volt through my ground wire to the alternator bracket. All post and wires have been cleaned. I have 12.8 volts or so going to the solenoid.

As far as checking the starter there is 2 batteries for the plow so the second battery ground cable goes directly to the mounting bracket on that starter. Which I connected to using a vise grip hoping I would get a good ground. Still had the same result.

There is 2 relays on the driver side fender that are not labeled is it possible that one or both if them are for the starting purpose?

Donnis

Anyone other suggestions?

88xlt

Follow the cable that hooks onto the starter, the other end of it would be hooked to the starter relay(usually referred to as the solenoid).

Are you sure the starting battery is good?

Donnis

That was my next step as I've read a lot about the cables being an issue. I've bought a new cable. Can I test resistance with my multimeter through the cable to see if it's the problem or not

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

You can verify power to the solenoid from the ignition switch with a test light on the little wire with the push on connector. Should light up when you turn the key to start. Not that that is your problem, it's just part of the whole check. Turning the key should make the solenoid engage and deliver power to the starter.
If you crossed the 2 posts on the solenoid, the starter should have cranked. If a good starter with a good battery, doesn't, then it is a wire or a connection.
Measure how much power comes out of the solenoid and also how much power is at the starter.
Wire or a connection.

Donnis

I'll have to check all of that and I'll get back to you it won't be until tomorrow I work in a little while.

88xlt

I've never heard of testing battery cables that way.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

You can check ohms of resistance through the wire or just measure how much voltage is actually getting through all the way down to the starter.
You can also test how many volts are getting back through the ground cable.