1999 F250 7.3L Diesel

One day truck wouldn't start. 12volt power ok, just no crank, no starter action... After troubleshooting for a moment I jumped the terminals on the starter solonoid and it cranked it over and fired right up.

SO...I replaced the solonoid and it seemed ok, then same thing, no start. I jumped the solonoid again and it cranks and starts.
Obvoiusly I don't wanna jump under hood every time I want to start the truck.
Anyone have any ideas on what this could be?

 

If the solenoid is good and the battery is good, I would guess you have a cable issue. Our boat had a similar problem. The battery was in good shape and the electronics would run fine with the key on, but when you went to crank the motor it would just click. Turned out that there was a small cut in the cable that ran from the battery up to the console. It corroded through and wasn't able to support the cranking of the motor.

To trouble shoot, put your voltmeter on the battery when you turn the ignition. If the voltage does not drop and the engine doesn't turn over. It is not the battery. Since you replaced the solenoid it can't be it so I am guessing it is a wiring problem.

 

What happens when you turn the key to start? Clicking noise, slow crank, or nothing? If nothing, try starting it in neutral. Your gear selector may be loose and the truck thinks it's in Reverse so it's not starting.

 

Nothing happens, no click or anything. Tried messing around with the shifter since it is a little goofy but no help. Ground is good and no noticable voltage drop when key is engaged.
I can start it easily by jumping the starter solenoid though. That cranks it right over.

Cam sensor maybe?

 

No, it's not the cam sensor.

Did you try shifting into Neutral and starting?

 

Yup. Neutral and even jiggled it every which way. Would it be cutting out the signal to the solenoid? ..... because when I jump the solenoid it starts right up. So the signal to the solenoid is just not getting there I guess.

 

I am having the SAME problem - 1999 F250 but with V10. Was at a race on Sunday - after a stop for dinner came out and truck would not start. 12V on solenoid input nothing on output when key turned. Jumped solenoid and it started right up. Put on a new starter solenoid today and same issue. Now i'm getting some other electrical 'bugs' no power windows or dome lights (but fuses are not blown?) Getting a weird sound from near/behind the fuse box under dash when key is in run position and it has that slight 'electrical' buring smell. Truck will not strat in park or neutral and the reverse lights work. There are two other wires on the solenoid - where do these go?

 

Moved to the 1999 - 2003 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel forum.

 

You say it was ok after you replaced the solenoid the first time. How long did it last? I've had a few parts store solenoids only make it a few weeks.

Are you getting power from the switch to the solenoid? Are you jumping the main wires or jumping to the start terminal?

 

I have the same issue. I have even replaced the ignition switch in mine to no avail.

 

The new solenoid is not 'working' will chatter with 12v and can be jumped to start truck (charged battery). Now the following is not working power windows (locks work), no dome lights (map lights work) no wipers (radio works) when you press the door lock/unlock button the wipers and dome light come on. Sounds like a short to me but WHERE - Anybody know where these all meet? Thanks, Jim

 

You might try checking the small "trigger" wire that runs from the fender solenoid to the solenoid on the starter. I found a spot on none that was chaffed pretty bad, had about 1 1/2" of insulation missing. It was bad right by where the bracket that holds the battery cable, it is located on the front, lower right of the engine .

It is also possible that the end at the starter is corroded or broke.

 

I am new and this is my first post. I am having a starting issue also on my 01 f250. It will crank sometimes and other times it will only click under dash at the fuse box and a click under the hood. I jumped the main wires on the solenoid and it cranks. So I replaced the solenoid but it has the same problem. Is it possible that there is a problem before my solenoid? I thought that if it worked when you jumped the wires that there wasn't a problem before that point, but now I'm thinking that's not right

 

First of all, welcome to the forum! You will find a lot of experienced and knowledgeable people here, who's willingness to share said knowledge is only outdone by their generosity and willingness to help when needed!

Secondly, I would recommend starting your own thread with your issue, with a descriptive thread title and a post on your problem, giving us some info on your truck (year, miles, any mods done, etc.). This thread is over 5 years old and the chances of any of the original posters still being active is relatively slim.

Good luck, and I am sure we will have you up and going with a smile on your face in no time!

 

Thank you, I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or not. I started one now, thanks for the advice.