Click/knocking sound when turning key
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
Click/knocking sound when turning key
Hey everyone, ive been having some trouble starting my 88 f150. When i turn the key over it doesnt crank and just makes this knocking sound. I gave the starter a few taps with a hammer and got it to crank but no start. Now it refuses to crank at all just makes this noise. Is my starter bad or is it the solenoid? Battery is new, when I try to jump the solenoid with a screwdriver it sparks but nothing happens
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
If you tapped the starter and it worked (unfroze it) and now nothing, start with the starter since you know that’s a problem. You couldn’t beat the starter to assist the solenoid in any way.
that sound is the starter trying to engage, but it’s stuck.
that sound is the starter trying to engage, but it’s stuck.
Last edited by 90project5.0; Jan 17, 2026 at 11:48 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
update: replaced the starter and solenoid and she fired right up!! So that was my issue however, i have a new problem. I was filling her up with coolant and i noticed a leak at the back of the engine, coming from somewhere above the starter. It only leaked when the radiator cap was unplugged and it was a thin but solid stream. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L9A...w?usp=drivesdk Sorry for the ****ty video but it was quite hard to film under there. A friend said it might be my lower intake gasket, but judging by the fact that its a solid thin stream.im thinking maybe a hose? What hoses run back there? Is it heater core hoses? Any help would be appreciated!!
however, i have a new problem. I was filling her up with coolant and i noticed a leak at the back of the engine, coming from somewhere above the starter. It only leaked when the radiator cap was unplugged and it was a thin but solid stream. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L9A...w?usp=drivesdk Sorry for the ****ty video but it was quite hard to film under there. A friend said it might be my lower intake gasket, but judging by the fact that its a solid thin stream.im thinking maybe a hose? What hoses run back there? Is it heater core hoses? Any help would be appreciated!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
Either a Welch plug (usually called freeze plug) back of cylinder head or lower intake gasket has blown out. No coolant hoses back there.
go buy a cheap telescoping mirror that bends at a part store and look back there.
At least she starts!
go buy a cheap telescoping mirror that bends at a part store and look back there.
At least she starts!
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
))
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
You're welcome! If it’s the plug on the head, you don’t have to pull the engine, just the head. Some may know a way to change it without pulling the head, but I don’t see a way to get enough of a tap on it to seat it. I’ve never tried either! Hopefully it’s an intake leak, that would be the easiest!
Whatever you do, please do not use a radiator stop leak!
Whatever you do, please do not use a radiator stop leak!
Last edited by 90project5.0; Jan 25, 2026 at 04:39 PM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
You're welcome! If it’s the plug on the head, you don’t have to pull the engine, just the head. Some may know a way to change it without pulling the head, but I don’t see a way to get enough of a tap on it to seat it. I’ve never tried either! Hopefully it’s an intake leak, that would be the easiest!
Whatever you do, please do not use a radiator stop leak!
Whatever you do, please do not use a radiator stop leak!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
Actually that part is kind of odd to me. Usually leaks are worse with cap ON due to pressure when it heats and expands. Makes me really curious to know where it’s leaking from.
Saw your other post, that’s a good idea to get fresh eyes!
Saw your other post, that’s a good idea to get fresh eyes!
Last edited by 90project5.0; Jan 26, 2026 at 10:37 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
"It only leaks with the cap off because the leak point is above the normal pressurized coolant level, but below the top of the filler neck. When I remove the cap and fill it, the coolant level rises above the leak and it pours out. When the cap is on, the leak point is dry. On a 302, the only high rear coolant passage like that is the intake manifold's rear coolant port. All signs point to a blown intake manifold rear seal, so you need to change the gasket"
Make any sense of it? And again i cant thank u enough for all the help lol, ive been super stressed out with all this...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
If the truck was not running, I could see that. When the truck is running, the water pump is circulating and would lead me to think that it would still leak out when the truck is running. An easy approach is this. If it’s the cylinder head, you have to remove the intake to fix it anyways! You can probably get away with a small mirror and hold it in your hand. If there’s a makeup compact around your house, that could possibly help you see it also.
These trucks are great to buy if you’re wanting to learn how to work on something! Haha
These trucks are great to buy if you’re wanting to learn how to work on something! Haha
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
If the truck was not running, I could see that. When the truck is running, the water pump is circulating and would lead me to think that it would still leak out when the truck is running. An easy approach is this. If it’s the cylinder head, you have to remove the intake to fix it anyways! You can probably get away with a small mirror and hold it in your hand. If there’s a makeup compact around your house, that could possibly help you see it also.
These trucks are great to buy if you’re wanting to learn how to work on something! Haha
These trucks are great to buy if you’re wanting to learn how to work on something! Haha
im away for a few days but i will look at it this weekend again, appreciate the mirror tip! I already ordered an intake gasket prematurely cause it was cheap and i thought I'd change it anywaysAnd yeah I've found a lot of guides and tutorials online and everyone has been super helpful, has made this whole process easier for me!
Last edited by AntisocialAndMiserable; Jan 26, 2026 at 11:35 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 388
the truck was not running (and from what i could tell virtually no coolant in it) while i was initially filling it. The truck wasn't running in the video i made of the leak as well im away for a few days but i will look at it this weekend again, appreciate the mirror tip! I already ordered an intake gasket prematurely cause it was cheap and i thought I'd change it anyways
And yeah I've found a lot of guides and tutorials online and everyone has been super helpful, has made this whole process easier for me!
im away for a few days but i will look at it this weekend again, appreciate the mirror tip! I already ordered an intake gasket prematurely cause it was cheap and i thought I'd change it anywaysAnd yeah I've found a lot of guides and tutorials online and everyone has been super helpful, has made this whole process easier for me!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kanewilburn
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 29, 2024 01:05 PM
mike L
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Dec 25, 2013 04:16 PM
nonobit
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 24, 2010 12:32 PM
Yougotthehit
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Mar 9, 2010 05:14 PM
nuts4hotwheels
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
2
Jul 23, 2005 06:58 AM