New to forum and F150, I picked up a 93 F150 5.0 single cab long bed about a week ago, The truck has been sitting for the better part of 4 years. I drove it around 2 days, ran a little rough but all in all seem to be ok. Next morning got in it wouldn’t start, so I changed starter solenoid on front fender next to battery, nothing. All it was doing was one click, then took off old starter had it bench tested it was bad got a new starter, put it on and truck tried to turn over 4 maybe 5 times, now all the starter does is just spin, the bendix will not engage fly wheel. I took off new starter went back to store bench tested it, starter is working fine on the machine and the bendix is working on the test machine. Got back home put back on truck and still nothing, Starter will just spin and not engage. I have read other problems on here with grounds and possibly battery problems could be the culprit, today I plan on testing the battery which should be good, it was purchased in June. I realize the battery could still be bad. Am I on the right track by checking battery and looking for bad grounds? I have read also were corroded wires could be problem and the spade connecter coming off of starter, the new starter does not have a spade connecter, you slide the ground wire in and just crimp that. Thanks again for the help gentleman, any input greatly appreciated. Again new to forum. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

Well it sounds like you've already done your homework and know what to check. This has come up several times recently in threads you've likely read so just follow the same advice.

FWIW I've never heard of the problem you described being caused by anything other than a bad starter, and I have seen bad parts test good. Generally if you have a bad battery, cables, or whatever the starter won't spin and you'll just hear clicking or get nothing at all. I suppose it's possible though.

 

just a wild guess...but, if the wire(s) were reversed,...then the bendix would not spin out..& starter would just spin......maybe?.....J

 

IIRC there's one positive wire from the solenoid and it's grounded through the case so there's no way to get the wires mixed because there's only one.

 

the small wire going to the crimp terminal is the wire that goes to the s terminal on the solenoid. so there are two that go to the starter.

 

It's been a while since I had to change a ford starter...

 

It could be a problem with the solenoid wire. If it's bad and not getting jiuce to the solonoid it will not throw out the bendix. Try jumping some 12v to it while someone turns the key.

 

I have determined after 3 starters from the store, I feel it is the solenoid wire coming from the solenoid not be able to throw out the bendix. I put the positive cable on the starter then tap the solenoid wire on the starter. The wire I tap on the starter was the one coming from the starter. I can see bendix kicking out but once I install the starter all the starter does is spin, that told me it was the solenoid wire coming from the fender mount solenoid. I plan to replace that wire from the solenoid to the starter. I will let you know what I find. I lost patience and time with the thing over the weekend. I had to get away from it for a few days been driving me crazy. Thank you all for the input, its greatly appreciated. Thanks again everyone.

 

Out of all the possible problems I've ever encountered with vehicles, wiring issues are by far the worse - and the weirdest - to run across! One case was a Sheriff's dept. that was neurotic about cleaning their vehicles, inside and out. The constant engine-cleaning resulted in battery cables that were corroded as far as 3" - 4" inside the insulation (somehow, the Motorola radio quit working before the car did, and that's what told us what the problem was!). Another case was a Chevy Camaro that routinely drained the battery in the time it took to drive 5 miles. But when you flipped the air conditioner/heater blower motor from "Low" to any other setting, BINGO! Runs just fine, everything works as advertised, battery charges, etc.

Never DID figure that one out...

Let us know how replacing the wire works out - and just for giggles, why don't you stick a multimeter on that wire and check the resistance? Plain ol' ordinary wire should read as a dead short. If you've got corrosion issues, or an internal break (don't laugh, I've seen it happen!), you'll get anything but a dead short. (and I apologize if I'm telling you something you already know)