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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

HELP!! Starter solenoid problem

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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 02:48 PM
  #16  
izmepeggy's Avatar
izmepeggy
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I put the old one back on and yes it started, but was starting doing the same thing it did, which was not letting the starter disengage. (till I wacked it ) so I have come to the conclusion I am getting BAD parts. So now for the 3rd one. lol Thank you guys for all your time and suggestions.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 04:04 PM
  #17  
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tjc transport
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don't be surprised if you go through 3-4 new ones before you get one that works. quality of the parts coming out of china these days still is in the gutter.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 04:13 PM
  #18  
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Are these Motorcraft? Never heard of going through 3. Maybe if these were Napa, BWD, or MPI, I could understand high failure rating.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 04:20 PM
  #19  
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For god's sake don't buy chinesium solenoids. It's not necessary. Now is a good time to renew the starter and ground cables. All of them, plus a good solenoid should be under $50 and will go a long way to reliable starts in cold and hot weather.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 05:23 PM
  #20  
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i have not been able to find a solenoid that has not been made in china for over 5 years now.
even motorcraft rite from ford dealership are made in china.

that is the reason why i have started replacing solenoids that burn out with the stancor relays.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 05:50 PM
  #21  
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izmepeggy
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The starter was replaced 3 years ago along with new cables. I put the new starter solenoid on and have it running!!! The first one was BWD. Second was from Motorcraft but I got another Motorcraft and it works. Friends have told me to get a new truck, but I have put every dent and scratch on this truck myself. I can work on this truck myself and even found problems that the shop couldn't, then fixed it myself. The ol truck and I have history! lol HUGS to all that responded.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2015 | 05:52 PM
  #22  
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Ebay has them, for those looking for US made solenoids; look for Standard products and Autolite, etc. What you want is boxed product from the 60s or 70s

FORD used the same solenoid for probably 25 years, and they made a LOT of them, I expect tractors used the same as well? It may take a little digging to find them but they out there.

Just avoid the folks who sell them marked up based upon their use in a 64 Mustang for example. Other than that they are also sold through NOS parts warehouse and usually pretty cheap. In a pinch the blue Marine type presumably may be better than the junk out there now.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 05:31 AM
  #23  
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I took Tedster9's advice and replaced the starter. Everything was fine till I got off work this morning. Turned the key and all I got was buzzing from the solenoid. For petesake, how many of these do I have to replace! It was a Motorcraft. Could something be causing this? The connections are tight. Tried jumping it and that didn't work. PLEASE HELP!!
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 06:05 AM
  #24  
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If the solenoid is buzzing either the battery is dead or you have a very bad connection.
Check the voltage and *check for draw with the key out*.
If you disconnect the battery and touch the terminal do you see a spark?

I installed a later model 460 pmgr starter because I got tired of solenoid problems but with all the problems you've been having it's time to start looking for the cause instead of the symptom.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 08:37 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by izmepeggy
I took Tedster9's advice and replaced the starter.
Sorry you're having difficulties but, if you read my posts I suggested replacing the starter cables and avoiding the use of junk solenoids. Start by performing some tests as outlined here:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/us1296.htm

http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_drop_testing.htm
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 03:12 PM
  #26  
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I originally had this happen 3 years ago when my starter would not disengage. We sent it to the electrical shop. They replaced all the cables and also another ground wire.They also noticed my flywheel needed to be replaced, which I did. The starter solenoid I replaced is a Motorcraft. And the battery is not old. It has been doing good since I put the last solenoid on, until last night.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 03:52 PM
  #27  
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Is your battery dead -now-?
Is there a load on it even with the key -off-?

Nothing that happened or was done three years ago matters -now-.

If your solenoid is clattering, it is -not- the solenoid that is faulty.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 05:05 PM
  #28  
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I borrowed a vehicle and gathered some tools and went to where the truck was. I was making sure everything was tight. Then this guy came over to try to help. He noticed a wire that does to my axillary panel under the hood was loss and touching metal. He pulled it away and it started right up! That was probably my problem all along. Then I remembered years ago my Dad's truck wouldn't start. It was the wires from the cruise control. He disconnected it and never had another problem. You live and learn. Thank you guys for all your suggestions. I hope this is the end of THIS chapter! lol
 
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