Starter issues
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Starter issues
I got a 88 f-250 460 gifted to me. At first it would start fine. Within a couple days I had to jump the relay to start it. Now it won't start at all. Put a new relay in. I'm not getting any power from the signal wire to the relay when I crank it. Wondering if anyone has any insight to If it's the safety switch or ignition switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
These trucks are notorious for having bad grounds. Make sure you have a good ground and all connections are clean and go from there. I had a 94 that I had to mess with all the time went through 3 starters before discovering the ground was dirty.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Is there any grounding locations other than the relay bolting to the truck itself?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
There's multiple grounds to the frame. I had a ground that was corroded and muddy from the starter. I kept undoing the starter connection but not the actual connection to the frame. My friends dad tod me that Ford sucked at putting grounds on vehicles up through the late 90s. Once I cleaned that up I never had starter issues again. May not be your issue.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,790
Likes: 449
On a truck that you just got, you should go over the grounds anyway, as well as the hot side to the starter. Also change all the fluids, blah blah blah. Go over everything you can, mechanically (brake lines, etc) and electrically, the low hanging fruit stuff. After that, report back. If you cant start it with the key ON by jumping the terminals at the solenoid, you have other problems....but thats all irrelevant before you spend the couple hours that it takes to go over the low hanging fruit.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I know it needs a brake job and motor rebuild. Burns about 2 liters of oil per 100km hahah. But I will go thru everything I can think of tonight. Just wanted to get this starting issue figured out before i spend the money to do the brakes and such. First thing I got a new battery and it functioned like it should. Then it wouldn't start with the key so I picked up a new starter. Old one was busted, shaft in the starter slid around and lots of filings. That didn't fix the issue, had to jump the solenoid to get it going. Went to my neighbour's yesterday with it and went to jump the solenoid and one tiny spark and that was it. Picked up a new solenoid and still nothing so towed it home and there she sits for now I hope! Thanks for the replies, muchly appreciated!
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,790
Likes: 449
I know its a simple question, but were you sure the key was on when you tried to jump the starter solenoid? I've done that a few dozen times over the years, jumped the solenoid with the key off.......it doesn't fire up, after a few seconds then I do the face palm emoji, but in real life, then turn the key on for start.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Turns out I'm a Sally and can't tighten bolts very well anymore. Starter power wire was a thread from falling out and the mounting bolts were lose. Fixed that up and put it in N and it started right up. A new neutral safety switch will fix the not starting in park problem correct?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Turns out I'm a Sally and can't tighten bolts very well anymore. Starter power wire was a thread from falling out and the mounting bolts were lose. Fixed that up and put it in N and it started right up. A new neutral safety switch will fix the not starting in park problem correct?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
phil64
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Oct 6, 2019 12:29 PM
vfrf2
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 25, 2014 12:48 PM
melvinhil
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
May 23, 2006 07:15 AM