Occasionally when I try to start the truck, it will only "click" at the fender starter relay. Usually, I just re-cycle the key and it will start. However, today it never would start. I checked battery voltage (batts are only 1 year old) and both were 12.5v with no load. All connections appear tight all the way to starter. I tapped the starter with a hammer and re-tried and then it would not even click at the starter relay. I tried to jumper from the + terminal to the fender starter relay and it would still only click. Finally, I cycled the key about 6-8 times in a row and it started. I drove to my mom's to cut her lawn and it would not start again until I recycled key multiple times. After I got home, I killed engine and immediately tried to restart and it fired on first crank. Any suggestions? Starter? Ignition short?

 

Which terminal on the relay did you jumper to?

 

 

So with no text, do we just guess that you jumpered to the small terminal that's connected to the ignition switch?

Try running a jumper to the terminal that goes to the starter solenoid. In your photo, it appears to be the one furthest in the background, the big terminal without the cap. If the truck is a manual, MAKE SURE you shift to NEUTRAL before doing this, since you're bypassing the safety switch. If it starts with that jumper, the relay is the prime suspect. If not, if you hear a click then, that's the solenoid clicking, which suggests a bad starter.

But also double check battery connections, main battery grounds, main connection at the starter motor. Also LOAD test the batteries.

 

Sorry. I jumpered to the one circled in this pic. Is the one the arrow is pointing to the one I need to try?

 

Pic link requires a password.

 

These batteries we get are sorry now days and with these hot azz summers in Texas it is eating alts and bats.
If it turns out to be the starter,I went with the 3 bolt gear reduction starter from Ford and it will really whoop it over.We deal with machines and they lay down occasionally.

 

Thanks Barry....figured I'd try to troubleshoot this one through here and not call you again with another truck problem. You get you a 2012? You're gonna have enough vehicles to start your own car lot up there.

 

Whatever get's ya fixed up.
I bought the 2012 in 2012 after the jeep did not meet qualification of power and it got bent.I do not drive it much unless we go somewhere.I still drive the 02 with 311k on it.I know how to fix that one.I leave fixing the other to Ford or later it will be Heston
I am looking for a 97 again as well.