All,

I want to sanity check something. My 96 F-150 4.9L cranks VERY slowly if I have ANY electrical stuff on. Example, if I have my foot on the brake (everything thing else off), it will crank very slow. It cranks so slowly that the engine won't start. When I take my foot off the brake and it cranks just fine. Anyone else have this symptom?

The battery is new. I measure 12.6V with the engine off. The alternator/regulator seems to work. I measure 14.2V at the battery terminals with the engine idling. So, it looks like its charging.

I suspect the wiring to the starter and starter relay may be the issue. Too much voltage drop between the battery and the starter.

Does this sound right to you folks?


Looking at the ground wiring, it appears that there's a ground wire that runs from the battery directly to the starter. I should check that and replace it if necessary. I'll probably just clean up the connections and check the tightness of the bolts. See if that helps.



Looking at the positive wiring, it appears that the starter relay is mounted on the passenger side fender.


I should check the wires between the battery to the relay and from the relay to the starter and replace if necessary. I'll probably just clean up the connections and check the tightness of the bolts. See if that helps.

Should I check the ground of the relay itself? It looks like it just grounds to the fender. Would it be beneficial to run a ground wire from the batter to one of the relay bolts?

Any other things I ought to investigate?

Thanks in advance!

 

2000 Ford F350 7.3 Powerstroke Deisel: I am having the same problem as being discussed with No Cranky Cranky; engine won't turn over or attempt to crank.
Batteries one week old and have been on trickle chargers for a week (14+V).
I know that the ignition wire as well as the Battery wire is providing the above voltage to the Starter Relay; but when jumpered the Starter Motor & Battery terminals, with the Ignition in Start position, I just hear a click, I think coming from the Starter Relay, and most of the dash lights, and the clock/time lights go out. Don't know if the Starter Relay or the Starter is the culprit?? Also have to wonder if I should have also jumpered Battery termingl to STarter Solenoid (Starter can't engage engine if Starter Solenoid not activated??)