Intermittent Starting Issues
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Brooksville, FL
Intermittent Starting Issues
I have a 1997 F250 Diesel, manual with 184k miles, I am original owner. I am having issues with intermittent starting, sometimes I can go out start it right up go on about my business for the day, then i get a click...nothing. Sometimes it won't act up for weeks at a time. I have replaced the starter, solenoid and cleaned all connections. When I can't start it I can use a screwdriver on the two bolts (cross jump)on the solenoid and it starts right up. Can someone please give me some other things to check or replace as to what is wrong? My next thing to replace is the ignition switch or another solenoid.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
If you're hearing a click, the clutch switch is fine. If jumpering the relay works, then I'd say it's the relay that's suspect. A new one could be DOA, or flaky. Dang, I'm totally blanking on the brand, but I put new heavy-duty starter relays in both trucks a coupla autumns ago, and they've been flawless since.
Also make sure the mounting bolts, base, and where it mounts to the fender are clean metal and rust-free. It's through the mount that the coil circuit completes its connection.
Also make sure the mounting bolts, base, and where it mounts to the fender are clean metal and rust-free. It's through the mount that the coil circuit completes its connection.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Brooksville, FL
We put a new H/D one on in May, so is it possible I could have a bad one? It wasn't very expensive maybe $14 so I might just get another to try. I can go weeks or even a month at times that it will start right up and then it goes through these spells. We have taken all the connections off and cleaned with a wire brush, did this again just last night and I went out this morning and the booger wouldn't start.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Well you've done great so far diagnosing the issue, well done!
How old are your batteries, and are the terminals in good shape and tight on the posts?
How old are your batteries, and are the terminals in good shape and tight on the posts?
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Medford Oregon
Below is a picture of my starter relay. You can see the smaller wire that is disconnected and that wire is what actuates the relay through the ignition switch. Get a short piece of wire and put one end on the starter relay stud where the disconnected wire normally connects and touch the other end of the wire to the plus side of the battery. The relay should click and engine turn over. You don't need the keys in the truck for this test. If the relay does not click and engine turn over then the relay is bad or as mentioned above maybe a bad mounting ground where the bolts hold relay to the fender.
If you have a trouble light or volt meter you can also measure that small wire and see if it has 12 volts or so when the key is turned to Start. This should narrow down possible causes for your issue.
If you have a trouble light or volt meter you can also measure that small wire and see if it has 12 volts or so when the key is turned to Start. This should narrow down possible causes for your issue.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Get a short piece of wire and put one end on the starter relay stud where the disconnected wire normally connects and touch the other end of the wire to the plus side of the battery. The relay should click and engine turn over. You don't need the keys in the truck for this test.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Brooksville, FL
This is all very helpful and gives us a new direction to turn. We will give this a try and go from there keeping my fingers crossed that it is an easy fix. Just had to replace the fuel drain off switch on the fuel filter (water fuel seperator) that was $80 from Ford dealer. Found out after purchase I could have gotten o-rings only!!!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Brooksville, FL
We have taken the starter out and cleaned all the connections, taken the relay out cleaned the back of it, did the wire test from relay to positive terminal, got a click and truck turned over, put in a new ignition switch, still have my same problem and now when I put the screwdriver on the relay to start it....nothing and a few more times it fires right up. We will be buying a new H/D relay next week and I hope this fixes my problem because we are at witts end!