My truck won't start. Ive been through enough with this truck to know its not the glow plugs or a fuel issue. I belive its electical. Its been starting great allthough not liking the cold. On friday I went out to start it, turned on my electric fuel pump (heard it working), the glow plugs cycled (like normal), then turned the key.....Nothing. It acted like (if there was one) the neutral safty switch wasn't closed. I did also try shorting the starter relay across the main terminals an also nothing. I know the batteries were good because I have an onboard charger-maintainer I plug in with the block heater. Tonight I went out an tried it just hopping an it started for a split second then shut off. After that it did the same thing as before. I really need to fix this because we are expecting some big snow here in NY on friday morning. Please any help would be appreciated.

Edit: Also I noticed tonight that when I was turning the key to the start postion the "water in fuel" light would come on. As soon as I release it, the light goes out.

 

Only advice i have is dig out the test light. Start checking wires and grounds. Could be the actual starter solenoid, not the one on the fender.

 

I just had an issue just last week where I could hear the starter solenoid clicking, but it didn't crank. I investigated a bit, tapped on the starter some, and then it started fine. Went to work and it did the same the first try, but started the second. The next morning worked fine for 3 starts (out to breakfast, then some errands) but didn't want to go the 4th time. Some more tapping, waiting, tapping, and finally it worked.

I ordered a new starter online from Advance (20% over the weekend ) and went to go pick it up, of course truck didn't want to start. While testing it by jumping the fender solenoid, I heard the starter solenoid engaging, and some arcing. Turned out the connection from the solenoid to the starter somehow loosened up and only worked when it wanted. Tightened it up and went off to pick up the new starter anyways.

I'm glad I replaced it though, new one turns over sooooooooooo much faster I damn near crapped my pants when I tested it after the install. I was planning on ordering one of the DB electrical ones, but just couldn't wait for shipping. Went with #16561 from Advance. The plus is lifetime warranty, so if it ever goes again, just a quick trip to the store.

 

Im actually hoping its not the starter, but I hope I have the same problem you did. My starter is newish (five years old but I maybe put 1500 miles a year on the truck) an I think I also got a lifetime warrinty from advanced also. I'm just not looking forward to changing it under the heavy snow we are supposed to get on friday.

 

You should check your batteries anyway, there is no guaranteethat the maintainer is working.

 

Starter or solenoid. BTW, you cant really start the truck by "jumping" the two big terminals on the relay. You can't flow enough current through jumper cable teeth to kick that thing over. If the relay is good, you can jump power to the forward small terminal on the fender relay to bypass the starter switch in the cab, and it will run if you have power at the FSS. (just be damn sure it's not in gear when you do this if it's a standard). Have to say though, from your description it sounds like a bad starter...

 

Thank you everbody for your help, turns out to be the worst possible situation, in my mind any way, the starter is bad. I took your advice Ford F834 an jumped right across the starter an then it started. So I guess the relay on the starter itself is bad. At least I know what it is now, an I should be able to start it by shorting it again. Thanks for every bodys help.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by not being able to start the truck by jumping the relay. You can certainly jump the relay(solenoid) on the fender, I did that several times with a 9/16" wrench, matter of fact it was the perfect size to hit both terminals. This is solenoid only needs to activate the larger solenoid on the starter itself, so doesn't pull that much amperage.

Now the starter solenoid on the starter itself, thats another story. If you bypass that solenoid with something of suitable size that it won't overheat and melt, it will spin the starter no problem. A wrench or big screwdriver should be fine, the wire that goes from the solenoid into the starter motor isn't that thick anyways, maybe 6 or 8 gauge? (its short so not a big issue). However, that won't start the truck, it will just spin the starter. Unless you've activated the starter solenoid and kicked the gear forward, the engine won't spin.

 

Your truck is 5 speed right? If you need it right away before having the time to fix it, have someone pull you to start it with the clutch!