Gentlemen,

2000 XP, 5.4l, auto.

A couple motnhs ago when it was real real cold the starter motor wouldn't turn over in the morning. Just 'click'. But if I re-tried the key a few times eventually it would turn over. Once it warmed up it would turn over first try the rest of the day.

At first I thought it was dying. But then the weather warmed up and it stopped doing that. Just started just fine every morning. So I thought maybe something to do with th ecold - some water got in and froze????

BUT - this week - we're above freezing - and the problem is back. Exact same behaviour.

Intersting detail - the time I turn the key that it does turn over, often the door locks flip as if I'd hit the lock/unlock button.

I'd simply replace the starter motor, but before I do that I'm curous if this sounds like anything else anyone recognizes.

Thanks.

 

A bad battery will do this too.

 

A bad battery? Can you explain a little more?

Thanks.

 

If your truck still has the original battery in it you may be experiencing a dying battery that is ready to be replaced. Dan.

 

Whe the starter doesn't turn over crawl under the truck, tap the starter with a hammer don't wack it hard, then see f the starter works. If it does it is the starter. Also look at your starter connections I know mine look bad. If they are coroded this will cause this same problem.

 

Could have been the battery terminals needed cleaning. ;-)

 

Ya, OK - go back to basics. On my 79 F250 I'd go straight to corroded connections or battery posts. But the XP's got a 2-year old Optima gel-cell battery in it, new (reman) starter last fall, and a brand new OEM Ford starter wiring harness - so I hadn't thought about any of that possibly being faulty. But I'll go over it.

 

My 98' Expy was doing that a few months ago. Intermittent no crank, just a click at the relay when I turned the key. I cleaned all electrical connections at battery, firewall, ground., starter..has not happened again.