I went out this am, to take my 1998 4.2L XL to a garage for new plugs and wires. Lots of juice, but only makes click noise, doesn't even turn over. I wacked the starter while the wife tried to turn it over, nothing. Only makes loud click sound when I try to turn it over. Any Ideas? I've only had the truck since November, love it till now!

 

Lots of juice? How did you determine that?
Sounds like the batter is weak or you have a bad (loose or high resistance) connection.
A weak battery will have the voltage to engage the starter solenoid, but not enough amp capacity to turn the starter motor.

Do you have a volt meter? Check to no-load battery voltage and then check it while someone tries to start the truck.

 

hi, it sounds like the starter soloniod is stuck,try tapping that when turning the key.
some times they jam sideways rather than moving freely (internaly). i do not know whether it can be stripped down but if possable, lubricate with copperslip. this worked spot-on with my harley soloniod.

 

Thanks, I will try anything. I swapped the battery with one from another of my vehicles, which is only 2 yrs old and same thing. I think maybe the solonoid. I will let you know. Thanks again. great site, first day as member..

 

Well, not worth taking the chance here.....
Check your coolant level in the de-gas tank (the radiator overlfow tank).
If it is low, there is a chance you could have a cylinder full of coolant which has the motor hydrolocked.
Never hurts to check.....

 

Last june I was leaving school and went to turn the key and nothing. It made a click sound every time I turned the key. One of the techs from the Ford dealership came and eventually figured it out. At first he thought it was the battery/starter but they werent the cause. He got underneath the truck and he cleaned some sort of wire connection to the starter/solonoid and the truck started right up when I turned the key. I didnt see what exactly what he sanded/cleaned, but whatever it was could only be reached from underneath the truck. He told me that it was just a corroded wire/plug???? and that it happens quite a bit. I'm willing to bet that what was wrong with my 99 4.2L is the same as your 98.

 

Thanks guys, really appreciate the tips. I finally towed it over to the place that was doing my plugs and wires. They said it was the starter. Thanks miramichi i will ask them to check the wires first before replacing the starter. My first day on this site and it is already paying off! Still really like my truck, got a sweet deal for it and it is really nice, burgundy with tan factory fiberglass running boards from front to back. Hate having it off the road..

 

Shotgun Sam,look on your drivers side valve cover for a decal that has the date your engine was built.Post that date here so we can tell you if you are ok from the bad lower intake gasket issue and timing cover gasket issue.

 

I was at the video store, came out and my truck wouldn't start. I seemed to have plenty of juice b/c all my power accessories still worked, similar to miramichi's problem. I towed it back to my place and checked the voltage, it was ok. I pulled the starter/solenoid and took it to autozone to have tested and sure enough that was the problem. Just thought I'd share with you guys as your forum has helped me out many times. Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks for sharing and glad your time spent here proved valuable!

Nice to fix something like this yourself, without having to fork over big $$ to a repair shop!