Let me start by saying im new to working on cars/trucks. I bought a 1989 Ford F150 Custom with an I6 and 2WD as a project/hobby. Currently im having issues with it starting. When it does start, it idles down and dies. I checked the battery and starter at Advance Auto and said they were good (for what its worth). Im in the process of checking the starter relay/solenoid along with the wiring that goes to/from. I disconnected the solenoid from the fender well in order to brush off any corrosion, rust, etc. but now I dont know which wires/fuses were connected where. I dont even know if the PO had them connected right. So I purchased a new Motorcraft Solenoid for the heck of it (only $20) and want to make sure I connect everything right.

In the attached picture you see...

3 yellow connections (circled in yellow)
The positive battery connection (circled in green)
What i believe to be the ignition lead, black L shape (circled in blue)
A defective/messed up 14GA fuselink (circled in red)
The other end of positive battery connection (circled in white)

Whats not pictured is the negative end of the battery connection.


So tell me, what goes where?!?!?!?!

 

I have the same truck. Had a similar problem. Replaced the solenoid and then the started kept staying engaged after the truck started and blowing the starter and the solenoid. Happened 3 times before I figured out the aftermarket solenoid is the problem. (So annoyed at my solenoid). The aftermarket have 3 posts and the legit ones have 2 posts. Hope this helps. I've owned my 89 for the past 10 years and had a wrench on every part of it at some point it seems.... haha

 

I'll take a picture of mine the next time I think of it. Been working great for about 2 years since the starter/solenoid issues.

 

Thats great info, thanks a lot!

 

 

Make sure the solenoid is attached snug too, since that's the ground!

 

Can I ask the type of solenoid and where you purchased it from? Everything im seeing online has that additional post.

 

I only use Napa. Might have been motor craft

 

I don't see the cable that goes from the solenoid to the starter.

All the wires go on one post along with the positive battery cable(circled in green) EXCEPT the cable that goes down to the starter.

I'm not sure what that is supposed to be circled in red. The cable on the end of it looks big enough to run to the starter, but a 14 gauge fuse link wouldn't work unless it was converted to a 1992 or newer starter.

 

Turns out that the new solenoid Im waiting for Amazon to deliver today was/is the wrong one. I found the 2 post unit after seeing it on the NAPA site listed as an "Accessory Relay".

As for the 14ga fuse, I have no idea.

 

You can find the solenoid by searching online with, "DB Electrical SFD6009 Starter Solenoid Relay 12-Volt for Ford 3-terminal SW1951, SW1951A"

 

i am not clear on why you are focusing on the starting system. if the starter is cranking the engine at a healthy speed, your problem is not in the starter, battery, relay, solenoid, cables, fuses, or connections. please clarify what is happening when you turn the key (assuming that you are working with a fully charged battery).

 

Im focusing on the starter relay/battery & connections because im simply troubleshooting and in no particular order.

When I turn the key, I am getting a chugchugchug sound. Like its on the verge up starting up but after multiple attempts the battery dies out. And im going off the assumption that the battery is fine because its only 2 months old and when Advance Auto tested it a few days ago, they said it was fine. They also tested the starter and said that it was fine.

 

And FYI for all others who might have question regarding wiring, this is what came with my the new solenoid...

 

The key is as follows...

M
I S
B