Starter question
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From: Magrath
Starter question
I have actually 2 questions. It is on my friends 2000 F150 with the 5.4L.
1. When you turn the key, it just clicks. Everything comes, just won't turn over. My guess is the starter/sileniod, which looks like one unit on the truck. Does this sound right or is there something else that would cause this?
2. Is there any reason this can't be done in the parking lot where the truck sits (other than it is going to be cold)? It looks like I can get to the bolts without to much trouble.
1. When you turn the key, it just clicks. Everything comes, just won't turn over. My guess is the starter/sileniod, which looks like one unit on the truck. Does this sound right or is there something else that would cause this?
2. Is there any reason this can't be done in the parking lot where the truck sits (other than it is going to be cold)? It looks like I can get to the bolts without to much trouble.
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From: nova scotia, canada
starter
first check the batt voltage with a meter when someone trys to start. if the batt voltage drops but the starter won't go then try boosting. check the wiring to the starter. check the fuses. if there is a solenoid mounted where you can get at it on the fender or somethig i would try jumping the two large lugs (carefully and quickly ie not holding for more than a second or two) still no start. then you need to replace the starter. if the starter doesn't have a seperate solenoid then you could try checking the small wire to the starter for good voltage when someone trys to start. there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to change the starter outside. make sure to remove the neg batt cable and take your time taking off the wires to the starter. most times you can loosen the starter enough to get better access to the wires but try no to let it hang on the wires. attach the wires to the new one before you install it all the way. make sure to tighten the bolt(s) that are hard to get at.
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From: Magrath
My friend already did the boosting thing. He caught a ride home and the truck is in the lot where I work (he works for the same company just in a different office).
I thought about jumping the sileniod but was leary due to the year of the truck. Is it safe for the truck to jump it with all the electronics on it? I plan on checking fuses and the wiring looks good from what I can see (can't open the hood as I don't have keys yet. My main concern was changing out the starter in the parking lot and finding out a special tool was required as I was half done.
Thanks for your help
I thought about jumping the sileniod but was leary due to the year of the truck. Is it safe for the truck to jump it with all the electronics on it? I plan on checking fuses and the wiring looks good from what I can see (can't open the hood as I don't have keys yet. My main concern was changing out the starter in the parking lot and finding out a special tool was required as I was half done.
Thanks for your help
Last edited by couleeman; Jan 18, 2005 at 06:25 AM.
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From: BC, Canada
Like beer boy said check the wiring to the starter. The terminal on the power cable at the starter sometimes breaks or corrodes off.
The starter on these is quite a pain to change. There are 3 bolts that hold it on. The top one is hard to get at. You can't see it. You have to have the right combination of socket and extension to reach it from in front of the starter.
The starter on these is quite a pain to change. There are 3 bolts that hold it on. The top one is hard to get at. You can't see it. You have to have the right combination of socket and extension to reach it from in front of the starter.
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From: Kabetogama, MN
Starter
My starter failed on me at a remote gas station. I pushed the truck out of the way. So, with a good socket set and a couple of 6'' extentions it can be done fairly quick. But the problem can be a tarnished wire lead to the starter which a replacement starter also comes with a new lead because of the common problem.
Bryan
Bryan
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From: Magrath
Thanks for the info guys.
My friend is going to have the keys to me tomorrow so I can look over the fuses, soleniod, and the wireing before buying a starter. Sounds like it can be done in the lot with the top bolt being a little tricky. I will make sure to bring all my extensions.
My friend is going to have the keys to me tomorrow so I can look over the fuses, soleniod, and the wireing before buying a starter. Sounds like it can be done in the lot with the top bolt being a little tricky. I will make sure to bring all my extensions.
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From: Central Ohio
This may only apply to the 4.2L but when I replaced my transmission with a used one, I broke the top bolt and the used one came with a broken off top starter bolt also.
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From: Magrath
Well I got the key to the truck today. Low and behold, it started just fine. I am going to bring my battery tester into work tomorrow then start checking the wiring and look for corosion on any of the connections or a loose connection.
