The 'Clicking'!
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: B/CS, Texas!!
The 'Clicking'!
93 F-150 with 302. I have an intermittent starting problem. As the title says, sometimes I just hear the starter solenoid click, and that's it. No crank. It will click as many as 20 or more times before I can get it to start. Other times it will start flawlessly.
The battery is new with new 4awg ground wire. Could this be a sign of the starter going out? Or maybe there's some wires I can tighten or clean. Any input appreciated.
Btw, This happens mostly when its colder outside.
The battery is new with new 4awg ground wire. Could this be a sign of the starter going out? Or maybe there's some wires I can tighten or clean. Any input appreciated.
Btw, This happens mostly when its colder outside.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
Do the complete wire clean up routine. Is the starter relay (fender mounted) from Ford or "Parts R Us"? I learned my lesson about them years ago & will only buy the Ford solenoid now.
AL.
AL.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: B/CS, Texas!!
Well, the darn clicking is back!!! Even after a new solenoid.
I dont believe its the battery because the lights do not dim at all when attempting to start. All power works.
I tried jumping the solenoid again with a screwdriver across point #3 and #6. Nothing. I then tried jumping from #1 to #5, and all it did was click.
It started today by doing a slow crank, but engine fired-up. Later, I was gonna start it and it was very slow crank until it didnt crank anymore. The clicking started. At one point, I heard almost a whine/buzz sound coming from underneath the truck. Maybe the starter?
I dont believe its the battery because the lights do not dim at all when attempting to start. All power works.
I tried jumping the solenoid again with a screwdriver across point #3 and #6. Nothing. I then tried jumping from #1 to #5, and all it did was click.
It started today by doing a slow crank, but engine fired-up. Later, I was gonna start it and it was very slow crank until it didnt crank anymore. The clicking started. At one point, I heard almost a whine/buzz sound coming from underneath the truck. Maybe the starter?
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,971
Likes: 2,731
From: Virginia
It's not the battery because it's new.
Probably not the connections at the battery because you just installed the battery awhile ago.
Ground wire is new-not that.
Not the starter relay or the connections #3 and #6 because you just installed a new relay.
All the above is also verified ok because you said you can turn the headlights on, and they will not dim when it starts clicking.
The only thing left is the connection at #7, or the starter itself.
Probably not the connections at the battery because you just installed the battery awhile ago.
Ground wire is new-not that.
Not the starter relay or the connections #3 and #6 because you just installed a new relay.
All the above is also verified ok because you said you can turn the headlights on, and they will not dim when it starts clicking.
The only thing left is the connection at #7, or the starter itself.
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Thanks, franklin.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
Strange enough, it could also be alternator related. Might not be giving the battery enough juice to start. When you hear the clicking have your hood up and check for sparks too.. sometimes that happens. Also right after the clicking go out to your battery and feel the wires, see if they're hot. Another thing to try is, when it only feels like clicking, have a friend try to jump start you. And one other thing to check, of course, is that there is no corrosion on the lead off of the battery cable, or on the battery post. If your problem is fixed, maybe this will help someone else.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
if you said that you jumped connection 3 to connection 5 then you were not getting power from the ignition switch to the relay. your new starter is money wasted! your click will come back!. on the connection at 5 the terminal is probably a stud and the connector is just something that slips over it. check that with a test light. if you have a light then you have power there and you probably need to give that connector a little squeaze to make a better connection.
hope i am wrong about your starter but i don't think i am
good luck
tim
hope i am wrong about your starter but i don't think i am
good luck
tim
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,971
Likes: 2,731
From: Virginia
if you said that you jumped connection 3 to connection 5 then you were not getting power from the ignition switch to the relay. your new starter is money wasted! your click will come back!.