Notices
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

Starter issue! SOS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 04:06 PM
  #1  
PStruwing's Avatar
PStruwing
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Lakefield Ontario
Cool Starter issue! SOS

Hello all I just changed the starter in my 97 E-150 with the 5.4. I am changing it as the old starter is giving grinding issues.

I put the new starter in and and when I go to start it clicks but does not spin and if I hold the key the ground strap from engine to cowl starts smoking. So the current is trying to go through the strap.

I checked all connections , the positives are clean and tight and the neg cable is clean and tight. I checked from disconnected neg connection to battery and have .09 ohms.





I pulled the new starter out and tested it with a battery and it functions properly. Put it back in and same issue as above.

What is happening here?

I am going to go back out and put old start back in, but please give me your feedback.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 05:09 PM
  #2  
PStruwing's Avatar
PStruwing
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Lakefield Ontario
I tried one more thing, I put jumper cables from battery to starter before removing and tried again but had same click. I pulled the starter out reconnected the positive cables and reconnected the jumpers to the starter housing. It spins wonderfully!

Something is up with the starter installed. It is identical to the old one.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 06:00 PM
  #3  
Rick1025's Avatar
Rick1025
Tuned
15 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 20
If the new one spins on the bench,but locks up when installed...I'd guess you got the wrong starter,or there is something wrong with the flywheel.What do the flywheel teeth look like?Why was the old starter "grinding"? Just some thoughts. Rick
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 06:06 PM
  #4  
PStruwing's Avatar
PStruwing
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Lakefield Ontario
Here is the teeth!

 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 06:07 PM
  #5  
PStruwing's Avatar
PStruwing
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Lakefield Ontario
Here is the old starter!
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 06:50 PM
  #6  
Tom's Avatar
Tom
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Club FTE Gold Member
I agree with Rick. Sounds to me like you have a bad starter.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 08:28 PM
  #7  
avenge's Avatar
avenge
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Ya the starter could be bad, it might be fine on a bench test but not good enough to turn the flywheel.
 
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 08:40 PM
  #8  
PStruwing's Avatar
PStruwing
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Lakefield Ontario
Gonna get a replacement starter in morning and change it again in the rain. Yuk.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 28, 2012 | 03:58 PM
  #9  
PStruwing's Avatar
PStruwing
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Lakefield Ontario
It turns out it was a bad replacement starter from the parts store. I put in another one and it works great.

The bad one was Made in Mexico, the one that works was Made in USA!

Thanks for everyone's help.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
petemcl
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Dec 17, 2017 04:21 PM
Spktyr
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
55
Dec 28, 2016 08:56 AM
anied52
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jul 22, 2016 04:56 PM
PStruwing
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
9
Apr 9, 2012 10:59 AM
StrongRepublican
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Feb 19, 2007 02:20 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:43 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE