Starting woes
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Elder User
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Starting woes
Hey guys, I was starting lucille the other day, hadn't started her in about a week and she did start but then cut off (this is normal, she's a cold starter like most) then tried again but this time was making a clicking noise. She never did start again. Thought it was a weak battery, put her on the charger and charged her over night. I noticed the ground cable connector was a little loose, tightened it down and snap...lol
Got a new terminal end put on, battery reads 12.0 volts but there's nothing, no click, no engine turn over, no nothing. I might just replace the battery as I have no idea how old it is but never had starting problems and just wanted to ask if there were any other thoughts?
I hope everyone has a safe an awesome Christmas and new year!!
Got a new terminal end put on, battery reads 12.0 volts but there's nothing, no click, no engine turn over, no nothing. I might just replace the battery as I have no idea how old it is but never had starting problems and just wanted to ask if there were any other thoughts?
I hope everyone has a safe an awesome Christmas and new year!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,111
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From: Lexington Mo
Whaddup John!
There's a few things I'd try first, unless your battery has some age on it. A good, fully charged battery should have about 12.5 volts to it. If you have good connections to both the power and ground side, you could try to jump the starter solenoid and that would rule out the battery if it starts. If I remember right, your truck has an automatic transmission. So maybe you have an issue with the neutral safety switch. You could wiggle the gear selector around from reverse to park, or just put it in neutral and see what happens.
There's a few things I'd try first, unless your battery has some age on it. A good, fully charged battery should have about 12.5 volts to it. If you have good connections to both the power and ground side, you could try to jump the starter solenoid and that would rule out the battery if it starts. If I remember right, your truck has an automatic transmission. So maybe you have an issue with the neutral safety switch. You could wiggle the gear selector around from reverse to park, or just put it in neutral and see what happens.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,045
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From: The Ole' North State.
I agree with Bob. 12v on the battery should give you something. I'd hold off on replacing it and check a few other things. The starter solenoid would be a good place. Also double checking your grounds.
Turn on the headlights prior to starting. If they come on, and dim out really bad when starting that could indicate a battery. If the come on, then turn off when hitting the key, that could indicate a bad connection. At that point I'd suspect the battery cables\connections.
Turn on the headlights prior to starting. If they come on, and dim out really bad when starting that could indicate a battery. If the come on, then turn off when hitting the key, that could indicate a bad connection. At that point I'd suspect the battery cables\connections.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2015
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I had a similar experience a while back with this. Ended up being my positive battery cable running to the starter solenoid. I diagnosed it by using a screwdriver to jump across the solenoid and wiggled the battery cable. In my case, as Josh mentions - I left my door open and went to crank and I'd lose my interior lights. Went and piddled under the hood and the lights would come back on but as soon as I went to start the engine, it would do the same thing.
I'd start by checking connections and solenoid. Good Luck!
I'd start by checking connections and solenoid. Good Luck!
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
John, Have you had time to look in to why she no start?
Here is a link to checking voltage drop of the cables etc to find what the cause is.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
Dave ----
Here is a link to checking voltage drop of the cables etc to find what the cause is.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
Dave ----
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Hey guys, sorry I didn't get back to you. It was the battery. My charger was showing it at 12 volts but as soon as I out a load on it with the battery tester it went from 12v down to 4 volts. I went ahead and swapped out both cables and new ends as well. I figured might as well, what's another $50 clams while I'm doing this stuff. The cables were totally green inside from corrosion.
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my battery charger was throwing me off becaus it would show as 4v and then charge for like 15 minutes and then show 12v and 100℅ charge. I then had to hunt down the old load battery tester from the harbor of great freight and as soon as I out of load..Pow, down to 4v and 10% charge so, it worked out being an easy fix but your mind always goes to the dark side. I was thinking great, a whole new wiring harness..lol
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lol..Yes they do, kind of like starting your furnace for the first time of the season but about 10 times worse..
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