I'm posting this for a buddy of mine that has a 99 F-150 4.6, that he has had to jump the starter solenoid on the firewall for the last couple days. He bought a dealer only replacement solenoid put that in and is still having the same problem. The vehicle will start when the ignition key is turned on and the solenoid is jumped. Maybe a bad replacement solenoid? Any ideas? Thanks

 

Tell him to try cleaning all the connections. I had a similiar problem with my starter, so I took it out, cleaned every connection and havent had a problem since.

 

Also have him take the starter in to have it checked. I have seen starters getting fried after a solenoid goes bad.

 

Ok. thanks so far.

 

Okay, here is another possibility. My truck started fine and then suddenly when I turn the key it's totally dead, no click nothing. New solenoid still nothing. I clip on an auxilliary starter switch (jumps the solenoid without all the sparks) and truck starts perfect every time. After much reading of wiring diagrams by my mechanic buddy and following lots of wires the problem was the white w/pink lead that is suppossed to connect to the clutch pedal starter cut out switch on vehicles with clutches. I have an automatic and this wire is suppossed to be connected back into the harness to white w/pink. This wire sticks out of the harness (on purpose) on the drivers side near the firewall but down low and had gotten battered and finally broken by ??? Connected the wire and truck starts perfect just like before. Thank God for mechanic buddies.