I have a 2000 F-250 with the all to expensive to drive V10 . I took a small vacation and when I came back after my truck sat in the hot sunny days would not start. I turned the key and just heard a single click from on the solonoid on the fender wall. Instantly I thought the battery was dead so I grabbed my jumper pack and got the same click when I turned the key. I put a load tester on the battery and it showed ok. I looked over the wires and found a broken ring terminal on the soloniid on the fender wall so I made the repair and tried it..... just a click. I pulled the starter and took it to a local Auto Zone and they tested the starter and they said it was good. I put it back in and still a click. I thought maybe there was a bad ground so i put my jumper cables on the negative terminal and directly to the body of the starter and tried it , just a click. I then grabbed a meter and checked voltage at the starter and had 12v on the large lug of the starter and 0v on the small wire. The 0v changes to 12v when the key turnes and still nothing from the starter. Is it possible that the starter is in deed bad but when Auto Zone tested it maybe something internaly vibrated into a position so it would work.

 

The starter could still draw power and at autozone the starters are not trying to turn over 10 pistons. I would check all wires and terminals

 

What happens to the voltage reading on the LARGE starter terminal when the key is turned to start?

This reading is the equivalent of the "money shot".

 

The voltage stays @ 12v

 

Then it's a bad starter.

 

Thanks, I wanted to get more input before I dropped $120 on a starter. I appreciate your input. I just now stated working with this sight trying to figure out how to navigate through it and I have to say I love it. Theres a lot of good people and information out there.

 

Glad ya like the site! Stick around and youll find more good info and good people