I went to start my 2001 F250 7.3 the other night and after the wait to start light went off I turned the key and nothing but a click. I then tried a again and another click, then it cranked and started. It ran fine. The next morning I went to start it and the same thing except it took me 3 attempts to start it. It was about 20 degrees out. At noon when I was leaving work for lunch same thing except this time it wouldn't start at all. Checked the battery connections, had the 1 month old starter from auto zone checked, so thought it may be the starter solenoid on the fender well. I replaced it and instead of mounting it to the fender well I had my friend hold it to the fender well. The batteries were getting low so we ran jumper cables to the truck and let it sit about 20 minutes. The truck started. He let go and we let it run about 20 minutes. I shut it off, mounted the solenoid, turned the key and CLICK. It doesn't crank. Thinking it was possibly the batteries I bought two brand new ones last night. Same problem. All the truck does is CLICK. I checked the interior fuse box and engine fuse box an d all fuses look good. Help me please!

 

Just one click or repeated clicks?

 

Seeing that you replaced the starter 1 month ago, I would look at those connections closely. Maybe there is a broken wire or a bad ground. Since you have pretty much replaced everything else, the wire from the solenoid to the starter is what I would suspect.

 

It sounds like a bad connection somewhere. Check AND clean all cables, BOTH ends.

 

Sounds like the starter, thats what mine did. Your Auto Zone rebuild might be bad, seen if before. Or its one of your connections like already said.

 

I agree with Adam.I know you are getting several answers here and they all may be right.If that starter has a weak bendix or cheap brushes it can have the same symptoms.
Do you have a creditable starter shop near by?Those folks usually know their stuff and use quality parts.

 

My truck was doing the same thing this morning...just one click.
It turned out to be a starter. I learned a long time ago to never trust anything electrical from Auto Zone. I just installed a brand new Delco starter.

 

Well, looks like you have your answer and welcome to the site!

 

There is a hole in the frame just behind the right front tire, stick a broom stick in there and wack the starter soleniod a few times, if it starts there is your problem.
I replaced the starter solenoid first only to have the starter crap out a few weeks later. Your best bet is a new starter, not a reman. at least from my experiance.

 

I'll check everything mentioned and hopefully it fires up tomorrow. Thanks for the help gents.

 

Me too, starter, I even replaced it after a month from a creditable place. Def only buy from a place like a auto electrical place, they replace all parts, places like Napa an Autozone, etc, only have the necessary parts replaced. These trucks are real picky where starters are concerned.

 

After a final check before having it towed I found that when the key is turned the stater solenoid (starter mounted) is sparking and grounding it's self out. With a jiggle on the wires she fires right up. Glad the starter has a lifetime warranty.

 

You may find that you will change out that "lifetime" starter many times in your lifetime! Hopefully not, but many have had similar issues to what you have found.