Yesterday when I went to start my 2001 7.3 as I thought it was starting I let off the key. Turned it off. When I turned it back on and tryed to start it it just clicked one time. Almost like the starter is locked up. The batteries were just replaced in July. If it is not the starter what else could it be?
Thanks for any input, Dean

 

Could be the starter solenoid. My mustang has done this before and it was a loose nut on the solenoid wire post.

 

Bump

Anyone have any ideas?

If the starter was bad would I still get a single click when I tried to start?

 

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that 2001 7.3 on up there is no starter solenoid.

 

Single click sounds like dead batteries, or corroded and dirty battery terminals, easy to pop them off and check them.

 

X2. Clean your battery connections.

 

I turned mine off to order in the Krystal drive-thru one time only to get the dreaded click when I tried to restart. Had to get out and twist on the cables to get it recranked so I could go home and fix them.

 

Sometimes you can take a hammer and rap on the starter housing.
If this corrects the problem, then it is likely the solenoid on top of the starter going bad.
As mentioned above, make sure the battery terminals are in good shape.

 

my 2001 has a starter solenoid, when my clicked like that I checked cables first to make sure they were clean pulled thre starter to find out the bendix gear was broke in half and the solenoid was bad.

 

I almost forgot about that "scubajt", that same thing happen to me with a recent starter from DB Electrical. I figured it out after removing the starter and breaking it down.
I carried it to a local starter rebuilder and he had a new part for $60.
That doesn't normally happen but until you pull it apart, you do not know.
Good thinking.

 

Update*******Today I took the battery cables off and cleaned them good. Reinstalled and it still does the same thing. Had a friend try tapping on the starter as I tryed again. Same thing. Guess the next thing is to change the starter. There is some rebuilt ones listed on fleebay for $75.00. Are they anygood?
Thanks for all the help. Dean

 

i bought a new one off ebay never had a problem and i paid like 90 shipped

 

There is a starter solenoid. Its my understanding that every starter needs one.