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Senior User
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
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I've been informed that my starter on my 1983 f150 4x4 5.8 liter truck may be my problem. It seems I may not have tested that properly. Has anyone smacked it with a light hammer and if so what good does this advise do? I would appreciate it if someone could describe how the starter works.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
Hitting it with a hammer will sometimes dislodge a sticky bendix.
If you are out in the middle of nowhere, and a very long walk is ahead of you, it might be worth a try as this might alow the truck to start to get you home.
Other than that, it's not the best thing to do. Replacement of the starter is the best option.
If you are out in the middle of nowhere, and a very long walk is ahead of you, it might be worth a try as this might alow the truck to start to get you home.
Other than that, it's not the best thing to do. Replacement of the starter is the best option.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mexia, TX
About the middle of it is good. Just a couple solid taps. I've used a small crowbar, a crescent wrench, and a big metal hammer at times, but it doesn't really matter as long as you're using something solid enough to cause a solid impact.
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
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Thank you for the advise. My problem is when I turn the key, nothing happens. No cranking, one single click (which I hear on the opposite side of the truck away from the starter, solenoid, battery, and voltage regulator. I do have a charged battery and power inside the truck. (1983 f150 4x4 5.8
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Senior User
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
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14. What's odd is nothing would happen when I had the truck jumper cabled to another truck. I turned the key, heard one click, nothing. Would the ignition module, if bad, stop the starter from working at all?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
I would assume the clicking is the starter solenoid, despite where you are hearing it click.
A Bad or seized starter can cause that. So can a stuck starter solenoid.
This is where I would start my diagnosis, and work from there.
EDIT: No, a bad ignition module would just keep the engine from starting. The starter would still crank the engine.
A Bad or seized starter can cause that. So can a stuck starter solenoid.
This is where I would start my diagnosis, and work from there.
EDIT: No, a bad ignition module would just keep the engine from starting. The starter would still crank the engine.
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From: Redneck Paradise
I would assume the clicking is the starter solenoid, despite where you are hearing it click.
A Bad or seized starter can cause that. So can a stuck starter solenoid.
This is where I would start my diagnosis, and work from there.
EDIT: No, a bad ignition module would just keep the engine from starting. The starter would still crank the engine.
A Bad or seized starter can cause that. So can a stuck starter solenoid.
This is where I would start my diagnosis, and work from there.
EDIT: No, a bad ignition module would just keep the engine from starting. The starter would still crank the engine.
Have you tried jumping the starter solenoid to see if it will turn over? Do like Chris advised or use my trick: take a pair of pliers and touch both the larger side studs on the solenoid together to create a connection and bypass the solenoid. Use proper protection as it will arc and spit electricity at you, leather gloves are handy. If she turns over and fires, the solenoid will be a good starti.g point to get you back on the road.
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ont-start.html
No point in starting two threads.
Yes, the starter may be the problem, but you need to eliminate a bad battery first.
Charge the battery, or get a new one and stick it in there.
Check your connections. Check for corrosion on the battery cables.
No point in starting two threads.
Yes, the starter may be the problem, but you need to eliminate a bad battery first.
Charge the battery, or get a new one and stick it in there.
Check your connections. Check for corrosion on the battery cables.
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
starter
Here's one for everyone. The one thing I never checked was for loose wiring. Somehow, the red wire that connects to the starting solenoid located near the battery was loose stopping the truck from starting. Once I basically re-attached it, it truck started up like normal. Who would have thought a loose wire would make a difference?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
Here's one for everyone. The one thing I never checked was for loose wiring. Somehow, the red wire that connects to the starting solenoid located near the battery was loose stopping the truck from starting. Once I basically re-attached it, it truck started up like normal. Who would have thought a loose wire would make a difference?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Pueblo, CO
Don't overlook battery cables and the switch-to-starter cable. I had a '74 ranchero and at different times I had to replace every component in the starting/charging system. Once I made three trips to the parts store before figuring out it was the switch-to-starter cable. the time before that I thought it was the battery, turned out to be the battery cables. Those got replaced with 00gauge. It was a learning experience.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
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ALWAYS check your connections. This is mandatory.
10 lashes with a wet noodle and 24 hours in the heat box!
Just kidding.
But thank you for at least following up with this thread and letting us know what the problem was. It's always great to have a conclusion to threads.
10 lashes with a wet noodle and 24 hours in the heat box!
Just kidding.
But thank you for at least following up with this thread and letting us know what the problem was. It's always great to have a conclusion to threads.