Starting issues
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
This sounds like the battery was connected backwards, which will blow the fusible link at the output of the alternator, and possibly blow the rectification diodes in the alternator. This will be a separate issue that you'll have to troubleshoot once you get up and running.
New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Tipton Ca
I have bought 3 different brands of solenoids for my 72 and it starts about a dozen times then the solenoid sticks and it keeps cranking pull one off another vehicle (57 f100,55 Fairlane,72 Maverick,)and it works fine>Still trying to figure it out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 0
From: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Maybe try this. With the ignition key off, pull the wire from the "S" terminal on the solenoid and check it with a circuit tester light. It should be dead with the ignition switch in the off and run position and live in the start position.
If there is power to it then the issue is most likely your ignition switch.
I need to add that you should unhook the starter side terminal of the solenoid before doing this since you need to hook up the battery.
If there is power to it then the issue is most likely your ignition switch.
I need to add that you should unhook the starter side terminal of the solenoid before doing this since you need to hook up the battery.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Fmc400, I connected the starter and power to the solenoid and unhooked the "s" post and I had power to the cab, no sparks from the positive battery post when connecting, I turn the key and nothing happens. No starter or solenoid.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Okay, after I did the test with the "s" post I connected power and I didn't get and sparks and now my solenoid clicks and you can hear the starter turn over when i turn the key but it only clicks once and stops(starter and solenoid).
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Canada
This was with the new solenoid, I changed it to an old one and it went back to clicking the starter and solenoid one time and that's all. I haven't confirmed that the engine will turnover but I'm pretty confident because it was running less than a year ago.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
I'm having a little trouble following all of your steps, so I'll clarify what I'm ultimately trying to get at. It sounds like there is a massive current draw downstream of the solenoid. This can be because the starter cable is shorted to ground, the starter is bad, or the starter is working too hard. That's problem #1.
Problem #2 is that it seems like this load is placed on the battery as soon as the battery is hooked up. That's not normal behavior - no matter what is downstream of the solenoid, it should be isolated from the battery if the solenoid is open. However, your description seems to indicate the solenoid is closed under certain unwanted conditions. One possibility is that the solenoid 'S' post is getting power when it shouldn't be (it should only be powered with the key in START). The other possibility is that the solenoid is tack-welded shut, which sometimes can result from problem #1.
Problem #2 is that it seems like this load is placed on the battery as soon as the battery is hooked up. That's not normal behavior - no matter what is downstream of the solenoid, it should be isolated from the battery if the solenoid is open. However, your description seems to indicate the solenoid is closed under certain unwanted conditions. One possibility is that the solenoid 'S' post is getting power when it shouldn't be (it should only be powered with the key in START). The other possibility is that the solenoid is tack-welded shut, which sometimes can result from problem #1.
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