i'm starting to think its time for a new raptor. first i have to fix a problem with my 97. sometimes it starts, most times it wont. all electrical items work. when i turn the key, all lites and dingers. a couple of clicks under the dash, nothing else. no turn over, no nothing. the negative battery cable is new, the positive looks ok. i have good voltage at the main fuse link on the firewall. the round soleniod that is on the firewall and has battery calbes going to it, the passenger side has no volts and the drivers side has line voltage. the little wire on top has about 4 volts. i've wiggled all the shift levers and 4 wheel drive levers. i dont think its the starter because when it starts, it starts right. everything sounds right until i get no starter. it might work 1 time in 10 or it could be 1 in 400. and none of the battery cables gets warm. its a 97 f150 4x4 with a 4.6. hope someone can help before i have to tow it in. thanks.

 

An Intermittent start is either the solenoid or starter going bad.

 

Next time it does not start, Go under the truck and wiggle the wires that go to the starter. (both large and small wires) then try to start it again. There is a big problem with the wires that go to the starter from the solenoid on the firewall. What month was you 97 F150 built?

Ron

 

great ideas, keep them coming. i'll find out what month as soon as it stops raining, if it ever does.

 

oh, by the way, its a new body style 97.

 

i think i might have figured it out. took DVOM to starter. had 12 volts at starter on large wire. with key in start position i have 12 volts at solenoid. nothing happens. guess i'll be putting in a new starter this weekend. and probably new cable ends too. anything out of the ordinary on this thing? any surprises i should watch for? thanks for the help.

 

I am not fully sure but it still might be the small red wire that go's down to the starter. If I have it right, I think that wire gets voltage when you turn the key to the crank position. When you say "key in start position" do you mean the ON position or is in in the crank position just as you would turn the key completely? To test in the crank position you would have to have someone turn the key while you test for voltage.
Also on these starters there is a short copper braided wire that go's between the solenoid to the starter that can corrode. I had one corrode on me a few years ago and it also was stating intermittently.

 

rshad, i did have someone helping. when key was turned to crank position, i had 12 volts on small wire and larger one. i'm guessing on the starter also by the way it looked. its all rusty, pretty tore up. it wont hurt to replace it. goes in next week. guess another weekend without the boat.