Loud click and not much else
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Loud click and not much else
I have a 97 F-150 v6 with 62K miles on it. I went out the other day to start it and all I got was a loud click from under the dash. I figured it was the battery. Late for work already, I just drove the wife's car. This morning I tried to jump it, nothing, just the same loud click. Headlights are good and bright. I'm no truck mechanic so I was maybe thinking solenoid or starter. Anybody have any other suggestions?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
The click is from the firewall relay not under the dash.
It means your start position is bringing up the start relay but battery power is not getting to the starter via the cable or the starter is faulty.
In the starter is second power solenoid that closes power to the starter motor and throws out the gear to engage the ring gear to turn the motor over.
There is a small lead to the starter as well that may be broken off.
Good luck.
It means your start position is bringing up the start relay but battery power is not getting to the starter via the cable or the starter is faulty.
In the starter is second power solenoid that closes power to the starter motor and throws out the gear to engage the ring gear to turn the motor over.
There is a small lead to the starter as well that may be broken off.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info.
When somebody else turns the key, the click is def coming from the solenoid or right in that area. I had a 20 dollar gift cert to autozone so I went and bought a solenoid and put that on. The old one looked really gummed up and cruddy. Replaced that, still nothing. Guess I'll need to have somebody else look at it. Solenoids are about the extend of my mechanical prowess...
When somebody else turns the key, the click is def coming from the solenoid or right in that area. I had a 20 dollar gift cert to autozone so I went and bought a solenoid and put that on. The old one looked really gummed up and cruddy. Replaced that, still nothing. Guess I'll need to have somebody else look at it. Solenoids are about the extend of my mechanical prowess...
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Don't you even want to get under and look at the starter cabling and connections for a possible issue on the outside?
Easy to check if voltage is getting to the starter proving it's getting past the new relay you installed.
It's your money and time if you don't.
Good luck.
Easy to check if voltage is getting to the starter proving it's getting past the new relay you installed.
It's your money and time if you don't.
Good luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
you can do it or someone else can do it, but you need to see if there is voltage on the big wires to the starter , after the solenoid pulls in. You need to inspect the cable and see that it is not rotted, and connections on the end are good.. Last is to check the starter itself......... This assumes the battery is fully charged and putting out enough power to crank. ---"headlights are bight" sounds good... but how old is the battery ?
New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Maybe try a jump start but leave the cables connected for awhile before you try to start if you haven't. A weak battery will give a similar sound. Just not enough to turn the starter over. It could also be a weak starter with a weak battery. A jump could get you up and running and at least to autozone for a battery test.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
69mustang
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
Aug 2, 2004 03:42 PM
