Any ideas here, the subject about describes the situation...

I turned the key, and rather than that high pitched sound the starter makes it just made this continuous clicking noise.

It shouldn't be the battery, though I'd prefer if it was considering the alternatives... Any ideas appriciated, I might try jumping it later just in case....

 

that would be the starter

 

my 1980 f150 makes that noise when the battery is dead. When it is that dead jumping it does not always work. I would charge it up then try. This has always worked for me.

 

ya that makes sence...the batt doesnt have enough power to turn the starter..but the selanoid still clicks..but i still could be a bad starter ive had that happen plenty of times

 

It is caused by the battery voltage dropping when the solenoid completes the circuitto the starter wich makes the solenoid click on and off. A bad or undercharged battery or a bad connection or cable can cause it.It's very unlikely the starter

 

Check battery and all your cables to and from the battery...Perhaps you have a bad connection between alternator and battery, which has caused it to not charge the battery and now you have a dead battery...or ....perhaps you have a bad connection from battery to solenoid. Either way, it does sound like a low power to the solenoid.
A basic volt meter/electrical tester goes a long way to diagnosing electrical problems.
All the best!

 

You can try this test. Turn the headlights on. Then try to start it. If the headlights go completely out, and it just clicks, then it's going to be the battery or a bad cable or connection. If the headlights stay bright when it clicks, then it could possibly be a starter or solenoid problem.

 

i too just had this problem. My starter solonoid went out. out of the 3 items to replace first, start with the solonoid. its only $10. Also, like stated above, put a meter on the battery and have a friend try crank it over, watch the meter, it should drop only a couple of volts to crank it over, if its dropping a bunch like more thatn half(6+ volts) it is most likely the starter if it doesnt drop its the solonoid. As the electricle pickups inside the starter wear they require more amperage to crank it, at a certain point of wear it will just quit opperating or it will just zap the snot out of your battery to try to start.

 

Try these things before buying anything, I had the exact same problem.
1. Take a look at all the battery cables ands make sure the connections and block bround are clean and free of corrosion.
2. Take the solenoid off the inner fender and sand the paint off the fender where the solenoid mount touches it. If this isnt grounded, the solenoid will act like its bad.
3. If you have access to a voltmeter, put it on the battery. It should have at least 12.5v with the truck and all accessories off. If not, charge er up. Then, put the voltmeter in a place where you can see it while cranking or jump the solenoid with a screwdriver (batt side lug to the small side lug) and see what the voltmeter says. If it goes below 9v, its either bad cables or starter.
4. Try smacking the starter with a hammer (not very hard though) and see if it does anything different. If it does, it means the starter is shot.
5. If the cables get excessibely hot when it clicks like you mention, its most likely the starter.

hope this helps. (+rep is always nice lol)

 

Well now fellers speaking as one who has replaced that which did not need replacing let me tell ya'll a similar story. Jumped in the truck ('86F150) and as soon as I turned the key I knew something was amiss. No idiot lights..no buzzers..nada..then a second later everything came on and I turned the key and..everything went dead! Hmmm..? I natcherly presumed it was the battery..probably original equipment knowing the previous owner. Down to WalMart I scurried (in the Chevy van.. ) purchased and and plunked in the new battery. Only this time I had the hood open on the truck. And the moment I hit the key seen fire flying off the solonoid. WHALLAH! Problem solved...loose terminal where the battery connects to the soloniod. How does a terminal come loose??? The ++++Fairy does these things! Always check the simple things first. #1...Clean&tight connections. #2..pop the caps on that battery...even if it's "maintence-free." Fill it with distilled water and it'll last twice as long. #3..Buy a simple electrical test meter. ...as was mentioned. Audie..the Oldfart..

 

It was bad (corroded) cables..

 

The same thing happened to me. I disconnected all the cables, cleaned the rust from the connections with a file and some WD40 and when I reconnected them and turned the key it worked.

 

I recently purchased a 93 f350 with this same problem. After replacing starter and starter relay, I saw that the batt-stater wire 4ga wire was cut. I replaced that wire and went ahead and cleaned up all my old wires my clipping the exposed copper and stripping back an equal amount. I did both terminals like this. I cleaned up my grounds, and this time it started right up. Thanks guys

 

Just had this happen today on a 3yr old Ford Motorcraft battery. Previous battery lasted 10 years. battery showed 11.5 volts. 12.5 V after charging and leaving it run for 20 minutes. decided to change battery anyhow as AAA came and I had a meter and the very nice guy noticed the battery kept dropping .1volts. Put new battery in and showed 12.5. Charged off alternator to 14.5, dropped to 12.6 volts and held after shutting car off. At first he thought maybe something in the car was draining the battery with it off.

 

Welcome to the forum, Mbird!