1988 F250 5.0 302

I let my truck sit for 2 weeks while I was down south. When I got back I was ready to plow my 900 ft driveway from the Connecticut snow storm we got but the truck would NOT fire up.

So I had to do the driveway with a snow blower in 3ft of snow . NOT FUN!!


I just get a single click noise when I turn the key. I also tapped the starter to see if that helped but it did not.

I thought I would ask before I take out the starter and test and see if it’s a bad solenoid.

I replaced the starter Oct 16th 2012 due to the gear being stripped. I bought the starter at AutoZone and unfortunately the limited 90 day warrantee is done.


I even swapped a newer battery and I get the same results so it’s not the battery.

I thought I would ask to see if there’s something else I can test. Could it be the diode that’s mounted by the battery?

Thanks for helping.
JAG

 

Your diode(as you call it) mounted by the battery is the solenoid. I think anyway the thing the positive battery cable goes to. You can bypass the solenoid by arcing the two large terminals with something like a large shank screwdriver. You need something big enough to carry the full load to operate the starter. This will bypass everything except a loose or dirty connection or a bad cable.

 

Wow! Thanks!


That's how much I don't know. I thought it was mounted on the starter itself.

Like I said the starter is new and thought maybe it's not the starter that's causing the 1 click noise.

I can remember changing that Diode or solenoid about 10 or so years ago but can't remember why but maybe for the same issues I'm having now.

OK.. I'll give that a bypass method in the morning and would be great if it's fixes the issue.

thank you for helping here!! and I'll keep you posted.

JAG

 

Hi,

I forgot to ask what I should expect when I arc the 2 poles.

When I arc the 2 poles, do I need someone to turn the ignition key?

what am I looking for to know if the switch or the starter is bad?

thanks again for helping.

JAG

 

First if you have a manual transmission make sure it is in neutral. DO NOT turn the ignition key on for safety reasons. If the solenoid is bad you will be bypassing it and the engine will crank over. In your original post you said you get a single click when you turn the key, I suppose this is the solenoid clicking, so I think you are getting power to the solenoid. But by arcing those two large posts on the solenoid you will be bypassing all that anyway.

 

Yes, it's a 5 speed manual. I checked again, and the switch is clicking 1 time.

OK tomorrow I'll test while in Neutral and the ignition key off and touching the 2 large terminals and hopefully this will crank over the engine.

If it doesn't crank over, and the wires are OK, I'll let you know.


thank you

JAG

 

there is also a small spade connector wire on the starter solenoid. if it get dirty you will have the same thing.

when crossing the 2 large terminals on the fender mount starter relay, it will give a large arcing spark, so don't freak out when you see it. .

 

thanks Tom

I cleaned off the small terminal and still no luck.

I get power to the small terminal after testing.

THe problem is when I turn on the key and try to start I get 1 click at the switch but the engine won't kick over.

When I touch the small terminal and hot wire with key off it constantly clicks.

I tried to bypass touching the 2 poles with the key off and the engine didn't crank so I'm assuming the switch is OK.

????

Any other suggestions.

thanks for everyones help.

JAG

 

well, if you jumped the 2 large terminals and it did not turn over, i would have to say the starter is bad.

or you have bad connections.

but it really sounds like the starter took a crap on you.


if you have a local rebuilder, i would use them before a parts house. the parts house rebuilder services only replace what is bad, but charge you for everything new.
a dependable local shop will repace everything whether it is bad or not, and still charge less than a parts house.

remember, the local rebuilder gets his work from word of mouth recommendations. if he does bad work he will not be in business very long.

 

That is the sign of low voltage. You have a low battery, bad cables or a bad connection in the battery/starter cables.

 

The cause..

Loose wire on starter

Thanks to all who took the time to help,

JAG

 

good deal. all fixed, and it did not cost you any money.

 

I hope that's it. My truck had a similar and intermittent problem that lasted for 6 months. Replaced many things which i thought fixed it but it would happen again a couple weeks later. It ended up being the battery cables. If it every happens again I would just replace those right away especially if there is ANY corrosion on them. And its pretty easy too. Good luck

 

Yes that was it! The wire was almost off. I can't believe it. I guess it was an oversite on my side when I put in the new starteer and didn't tighten enough and the vibration loosened the nut.

Live and Learn.

thanks!!!