Starting issues

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Mar 29, 2020 | 06:21 PM

JRT812

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2017

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Starting issues

78 f150 400. Ran fine under normal circumstances. Went to start it yesterday and the starter just “cluncks” changed starters thinking it may be the issue and the one from the parts store does the same. Looking for some direction on what it could be.

thanks in advance!

Mar 29, 2020 | 06:34 PM

440 sixpack

Lead Driver

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Are you sure it's the starter clunking or could it be the solenoid ?

Check all connections good on the battery, solenoid and the ground battery cable ay the block. .

your battery could be toast also.

Mar 29, 2020 | 06:45 PM

JRT812

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Mountain Pass

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 440 sixpack

Im no mechanic but the sounds seems like it’s from the starter. The battery was tested and is good. Also the cables appear to be fine as well. I will look into the starter solenoid and appreciate the direction

Mar 29, 2020 | 06:55 PM

440 sixpack

Lead Driver

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If the starter is actually kicking in it's probably not the solenoid but it could be the connections on it.

Very often a condition like you're discribing is a bad battery connection. it will make contact but when you put a load on it it breaks down and won't turn the starter.

Mar 29, 2020 | 10:07 PM

83sd

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 479

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From: Mesa AZ

You need to determine if its the solenoid clunking or the starter. Another check you could do is see if you can rotate the motor with a breaker bar on the crank. My cousin chased a " starter issue" for a few days until I found cylinder 4 was full of coolant.

Mar 30, 2020 | 08:09 AM

JRT812

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Mountain Pass

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Thanks to everyone for the direction!

Mar 30, 2020 | 09:45 PM

JRT812

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 193

Likes: 5

Update - not good outcomes. Changed some parts and noticed a bulge in the valve cover. Also, checked the coolant and it seems empty. Not looking great