My 1993 f150 5.0 wont start. When you turn the key all that happens is a click. i jumped the solenoid with a screw driver to make sure it was getting power and i think the click was coming from the starter? is this a sign of a bad starter? And yes my battery is not dead.
-Ryan

 

a "not dead" battery could still be too far gone to crank an engine. what voltage do you have at the battery, at the starter ? have you tried jump starting ?

 

Yes sorry for not adding that, have tried jumping it same issue. this has happpened once a long time ago but it only clicked once then started right up.

 

do a thorough check of the battery cables ... they are known to corrode to the point where they are not passing enough current to operate the starter. cut away some of the insulation in order to really see how they look. remove the cable from the starter and clean up the connection really well.

 

When you turn the key does it click or turn over?

I would say it was the starter.

Its easy to remove. Two bolts, and one wiring connector.

The parts store can test it there and say for sure if it is.

 

Or you can have someone crank the truck while you beat on the starter with a screwdriver to see if it will fire. If the battery is too far gone it won't do anything. Can you still use radio, lights, etc.? Best way is to put a voltmeter on it or jump the truck and drive to your local parts store and have them test the system.

 

Everything works fine headlights, radio, dash lights, everything. Like I said this happened once a long time ago, but I just turned the key again and it fired right up.

 

My bad, I skipped your follow up post. I had a '00 Grand Cherokee did the same thing once and then again months later. It was so rare/infrequent I never bothered with digging into much. Assumed it was a bad spot on the starter and/or a cell in the battery fading. Again, I would get a check up at an Advance to be safe, but not worry much.

 

it is also a good idea to replace the starter solenoid when replacing the starter, per the instructions they give you with the starter.

 

This works if it a problem with the brushes. I have had better luck with a hammer though. Check the connection at the starter. The noise you heard was probably an arc.