Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Common electrical/starter problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2014 | 08:19 PM
  #1  
bullnose lover's Avatar
bullnose lover
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Common electrical/starter problem

I have an starter sticking issue with my 1991 f250 (302/5speed/4x4) which seems to be common problem with older fords. The truck was given to me by my step dad who used it as a fuel truck on the farm and in the 14 years he had it there was never a problem where the starter would stay running when you went to start it. I got it this spring and right after that the original starter solenoid gave up and would just click and not engage the starter. I replaced that one with a napa solenoid and almost every time i went to start the truck the starter would stick. The truck has since sat until a month ago when i finally had time to replace the clutch. i also put a brand new starter (because the mounting tabs broke off the original) and a brand new solenoid but it still sticks . However, if i jump the posts on the solenoid with a screwdriver it does not stick and i also don't think its the ignition either because it shuts the power off to the rest of the truck and kills the motor but not the starter. Anybody have an idea of where to check next? Should i maybe try a better quality solenoid? As of right now I am lost and any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2014 | 08:29 PM
  #2  
f100beatertruck's Avatar
f100beatertruck
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Club FTE Silver Member

What posts are you jumping? The two large ones? Or the battery to the smaller start/ignition terminal. If it's the two big ones then the solonoid isn't being used. Jump to the small terminal.

The new solonoids are crap. I run a marine type terminal on my battery with a wing nut so I can remove the negative wire without tools if I need to just in case.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2014 | 08:38 PM
  #3  
bullnose lover's Avatar
bullnose lover
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
i was jumping to two large posts on the solenoid. That marine style terminal actually sounds like a good idea.



UPDATE: i just went out and jumped the smaller terminal to the positive battery post and the starter did not stick.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2014 | 09:17 PM
  #4  
88n94's Avatar
88n94
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
Your best bet would be to get a genuine Ford solenoid. When a solenoid unexpectedly sticks and keeps cranking the engine, giving the solenoid a few karate chops will likely unstick it.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 04:48 AM
  #5  
ArdWrknTrk's Avatar
ArdWrknTrk
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Club FTE Silver Member

Try some new cables.
Ground, starter and battery to solenoid.
They are old and don't owe you anything.
Clean the terminals and use some terminal protector or silicone grease when you nut the cables on.

Resistance in any part of the circuit causes higher current to pass through the solenoid contacts.
Enough amperage, and the contacts will melt together
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 11:45 AM
  #6  
Nothing Special's Avatar
Nothing Special
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk
Try some new cables.
Ground, starter and battery to solenoid.
They are old and don't owe you anything.
Clean the terminals and use some terminal protector or silicone grease when you nut the cables on.

Resistance in any part of the circuit causes higher current to pass through the solenoid contacts.
Enough amperage, and the contacts will melt together
... and replace your solenoid (again) because it really sounds like it's what's sticking. But as ArdWrknTrk says, if you just replace the solenoid and you have other problems you are likely to mess up the new solenoid right away too.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tjdad62
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Feb 2, 2015 12:20 AM
mike2112
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Apr 11, 2010 09:26 AM
spit
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 17, 2009 11:44 AM
fordbozo
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jul 1, 2009 07:14 AM
stevetopps
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 11, 2007 03:10 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:40 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE