Possible Starter or Ignition Switch?

txmnjim · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:40 AM

Hi guys,
Well I've got a muffler, brakes, and new tires on the old girl and she's
running down the road like a champ ;-) The motor and tranny seem
strong and I think it will make a good truck. Only problem now (other
than a leaking pan gasket which I will not have the funds to fix for awhile)
is a possible starter or maybe ignition switch going bad.
This is on my 1989 F150, I6 300. Every once in a while (and I cannot as
yet discern a pattern) when you turn the ignition switch you just hear a
"click" and nothing happens! Won't attempt to turn over at all? It happened with my mechanic and he said my battery terminals were loose
(which they were). Ok, I bought some new terminals and got them good
and tight. Well later it does it again ;-( It never stays off for long and after a few tries it will crank right up?
So I was talking to the PO (I work with him) and he said that it used to
do that to him! (Mind you, it was sitting for several years before I
"resurrected" it.) He thought it was the starter. Could a starter take
literally years to go out? Think it could be an ignition switch? I appreciate any help you all can give.
Jim
ps
It also has a new battery.

Harte3 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Starter, ignition switch, starter solenoid , poor connection(s), corroded battery cables...any number of things.

NavyMIDN08 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:35 AM

check your ground, make sure connections are clean. i'd suspect it was the solenoid connections. i'd really doubt it is your starter.

JimsRebel · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 12:11 PM

Worn brushes in the starter will also cause this, but clean all the connections first, NEG and POS large wires.

gfw1985 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 01:14 PM

You said you replaced the terminals, but how far back did you cut them? You need good clean bright copper, not black. Corrosion has a bad habit of creeping back inside the insulation. It's usually better to just put new cables on and clean all the connections good. Clamp on wire style terminals aren't that good. Still could be the rest of stuff already mentioned.

txmnjim · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfw1985

You said you replaced the terminals, but how far back did you cut them? You need good clean bright copper, not black. Corrosion has a bad habit of creeping back inside the insulation. It's usually better to just put new cables on and clean all the connections good. Clamp on wire style terminals aren't that good. Still could be the rest of stuff already mentioned.

Thanks for the input guys! This is the first thing I will check because yes
I didn't cut back the wires at all. In fact they were pretty rusty and I just
kinda banged them against the battery ;-( Terrible I know.
Jim

dustybumpers · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 07:51 PM

check ground wire to block. I usually move mine from the block to one of the starter bolts.

txmnjim · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustybumpers

check ground wire to block. I usually move mine from the block to one of the starter bolts.

Thanks! I already did my positive cable and then had to run an errand,
but will do the ground tomorrow.
Jim

txmnjim · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 03:51 AM

well, I cut back the wires on both terminals and they are clean...and
then it happened again! Almost late for work because of it ;-( Guess
I'll have to keep looking for the culprit.
jim

dustybumpers · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 05:44 AM

make sure the small bolt is tight and clean on the cable that ataches to the starter. if loose it could act like that.

gfw1985 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustybumpers

make sure the small bolt is tight and clean on the cable that ataches to the starter. if loose it could act like that.

Electrical gremils are tough. Mine wouldn't start in the parts store parking lot yesterday. The wire attached to starter appeared tight, but when I really twisted it, it moved about an 1/8" then cranked right up. I'll pull the whole starter and make sure the stud isn't bad.

txmnjim · #12 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustybumpers

make sure the small bolt is tight and clean on the cable that ataches to the starter. if loose it could act like that.

thanks Dusty! i'll check on those connections.
jim

txmnjim · #13 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:13 AM

As an update, I went out and cleaned the connections on the relay and then climbed under and checked the starter connections. They were
tight and didn't move when I tried to wiggle them. However, I did notice
that the starter was apparently purchased at a salvage yard since it has
"1984 F150" written on the side of it! If that is OEM from an 84 we're talking about a 25 year old starter!! Is that possible?
Bad news is after I finished I went in the cab to try and start her and she
just clicked (more of a "pop" actually). One other thing I did notice is that
when I start to turn the key to the on position all the dash lights and gauges come on, so it is definitely getting power. Where should I start if
its time to start replacing parts? Thanks ahead of time.
Jim

Ranger GT2 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 02:06 PM

When it just clicks have you tried to leave the key in the ON position and jump across the large terminals of the starter solenoid? If it starts then it has to be something with the solenoid of not getting voltage to the solenoid from the ignition switch.

gfw1985 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 02:17 PM

Time for basic trouble shooting. Do you have a voltmeter or test light? Next time it doesn't start, jumper S term on starter relay to pos batt and feel if relay closes. If it does, jumper pos batt to starter lead. That will narrow it down a bit. If those fail it has to be the starter wire or starter. If those work, then you have to trace back towards ign switch. Observe all safety precautions!
Edit: I type slow