Notices
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

Ongoing starting issues

Old Oct 30, 2022 | 01:27 AM
  #1  
Riger03's Avatar
Riger03
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Ongoing starting issues

I have a 92' f150. It's been acting up on me lately, some days it won't even crank then other days it's fine.

I had to dump trash the other day and my vehicle died,I was able to get a jump and it started fine. I had the battery checked and it was good and also replaced the starter solenoid because I thought that could be a culprit, it's the one the firewall near the battery, replaced and it started up fine

Next day I went to go for a drive and it wouldn't crank, popped the hood and I touched the 2 spots on the solenoid with the key in the on position, got a small spark, but didn't start up. Went to just see if it would start and it did. Drove it and when I parked with engine running it died, but started right back up.

im at a loss, also to add sonedays when it won't crank I pressed the gas pedal and it started, a bit odd.

Sorry that it's long winded, I just need to use this truck more because my car is having problems.

Thanks.

 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 09:06 AM
  #2  
jas88's Avatar
jas88
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,961
Likes: 594
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

Is it ever hard to start, like it cranks slow? Or is it that it either starts normally or does nothing?
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 01:10 PM
  #3  
Prototypemech's Avatar
Prototypemech
Logistics Pro
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1,198
From: Mojave, Ca
Sounds like a broken ignition switch under the steering column.
Could also be your battery cables. Are the OEM or are they the part-store repair terminals with the bolts?
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 02:33 PM
  #4  
Riger03's Avatar
Riger03
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by jas88
Is it ever hard to start, like it cranks slow? Or is it that it either starts normally or does nothing?
It used to slow start, but I replaced the positive and negative battery terminals and it seems to start normal. That is when it wants to start.

Btw it's just some basic Walmart terminals, but it was better.
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 02:36 PM
  #5  
Riger03's Avatar
Riger03
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Prototypemech
Sounds like a broken ignition switch under the steering column.
Could also be your battery cables. Are the OEM or are they the part-store repair terminals with the bolts?
Is there a way to test for a bad ignition switch?
​​​​​​
I was thinking about if my cables could be the cause, there original.

I got part store terminals the basic black and red coated ones.


 

Last edited by Riger03; Oct 30, 2022 at 02:40 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 02:48 PM
  #6  
cannothinkofaname's Avatar
cannothinkofaname
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 130
Likes: 16
Originally Posted by Riger03
Is there a way to test for a bad ignition switch?
​​​​​​
I was thinking about if my cables could be the cause, there original.

I got part store terminals the basic black and red coated ones.
In my opinion those terminals are junk. Mine kept sliding off the wire and when trying to tighten them it ended up breaking. I have read that those are meant for temporary use.
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2022 | 04:43 PM
  #7  
Prototypemech's Avatar
Prototypemech
Logistics Pro
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1,198
From: Mojave, Ca
Absolutely agree with @cannothinkofaname . Those cable terminals are what you put on your car to get it running for another month before you buy another car. They cause loads of problems because the copper wire and lead corrodes out of sight. Building your own battery cables is another great way to leave yourself stranded in a parking lot. There's an art and a science to building high current battery cables that last decades, and most people dont have the skill or the tools to do it correctly.
At a minimum, carefully disassemble, check, and clean your battery cables... But it would be better to go to your local auto parts store and spend the $30 on a set of premade crimped cables.
 
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2022 | 08:59 AM
  #8  
jas88's Avatar
jas88
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,961
Likes: 594
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

So, when it won't start, go under the hood and put 12V+ to the center (small) terminal on your starter relay. If that makes it start normally, then you either have a problem with your ignition switch or your neutral safety switch.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 31, 2022 | 09:24 AM
  #9  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
As long as you have cables (battery) which end in "lugs" you can use MARINE terminals like those red and black, with decent success.

dont mind the post with the solder on it, I was testing a dumb theory about filling the open areas to increase contact but didnt really change anything and I just wasted time LOL The left side was.. we dont talk about that

I suspect the comment about the repair post with the "bolts" was the negative one here in this photo. See the lead "block" it has a set screw and you would stick a bare cable end in and use that to hold it. Temporary for sure. I have done this better now, this was temporary last year, but you can see on the positive I have a "marine" post which is a stud that I put the lug of the original cable onto and then a nut on. Its crude but its acceptable if you get the surfaces flat and make good contact and secure it right.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Datsyukfan
2004 - 2008 F150
4
Oct 20, 2022 09:38 AM
Shanef1501176
2009 - 2014 F150
2
Oct 16, 2017 09:54 PM
Vaerrex
1997 - 2003 F150
1
Apr 22, 2014 02:44 PM
DMcG
1997 - 2003 F150
4
Jan 29, 2012 08:49 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:44 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE