electrical issue with starter?
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Elder User
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electrical issue with starter?
Hey guys I had replaced my starter a few months back with a mini starter and it works great. Every once and a while i turn the key and it just clicks turn the key again and it fires right up no problem. Ive learned to live with it thinking it was just something to do with the starter or something. Well today I went to start it and it did it again and wouldnt start after the second time. I relized I had my blower on for the heat so i turned it off and started it and it fired right up. It seems like there not enough juice to turn the starter when I have a draw on the system? Any ideas why this is happeneing and if theres a way to fix it?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
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From: Lansdale, PA
Did you take the red/blue wire from the original solenoid and hook it to the mini starter solenoid wire, or are you using the original solenoid on the fender to trigger the solenoid wire on the mini starter...
The second way is how it should be done for flawless starting. The mini starter solenoid draws a bit too much and all the losses in the ford wiring causes some finicky starting issues.
The second way is how it should be done for flawless starting. The mini starter solenoid draws a bit too much and all the losses in the ford wiring causes some finicky starting issues.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Hmmmm I wonder what the draw on the system is, anyway to confirm? Also the clicking, had an issue with my ignition switch that cause the same style of issue, maybe it's just masking it.
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Elder User
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The battery is new so I would rule that out. I think the clicking is the solienoid on the wall next to the battery. I have a sound system, radio, wippers and lights if I turn them all on and try to start it i dont think it would. I might not have the starter connected properly but since I hooked it up like the old one i would think it would be ok.
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The battery is new so I would rule that out. I think the clicking is the solienoid on the wall next to the battery. I have a sound system, radio, wippers and lights if I turn them all on and try to start it i dont think it would. I might not have the starter connected properly but since I hooked it up like the old one i would think it would be ok.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Des Moines
Double check your wiring, just to make sure. Then probably replace the solenoid.
The clicking occurs when there's enough draw to trip the solenoid but not enough to turn over the starter. It is an AMPERAGE problem, not a voltage problem. This can be caused by a bad battery (which you say shouldn't be the issue) or bad starter and grounding cables.
An easy test for your cables is to cut a small piece of insulation off and to look at the bare wire. If the strands are dark and dull, the cable is bad. If they are bright and shiny, they are good. I can't give you an honest reason why this method works, but it does.
Also, whether you replace the cables or not, make sure to give the connections at the battery, solenoid and starter a good, thorough cleaning. That goes for ground contacts, too.
Good luck.
The clicking occurs when there's enough draw to trip the solenoid but not enough to turn over the starter. It is an AMPERAGE problem, not a voltage problem. This can be caused by a bad battery (which you say shouldn't be the issue) or bad starter and grounding cables.
An easy test for your cables is to cut a small piece of insulation off and to look at the bare wire. If the strands are dark and dull, the cable is bad. If they are bright and shiny, they are good. I can't give you an honest reason why this method works, but it does.
Also, whether you replace the cables or not, make sure to give the connections at the battery, solenoid and starter a good, thorough cleaning. That goes for ground contacts, too.
Good luck.
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I've said it before and will say again: vaseline is the best to protect your cables and terminals. Put a little on your battery terminal and as you drive the truck and the vaseline heats up, it will melt (it doesn't get messy at all if you don't use a lot) and after it melts and cools a few times, it will form something that looks like a wax. This protects the metal from corrosion and when the vaseline melts, a little goes into the wires coming off the terminal and will protect the wires under the insulation. I have NEVER had a problem with corrosion or battery cables. My 0.02¢
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