96 F150 Starting Problems
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New User
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96 F150 Starting Problems
My 96 won't turn when you turn the key. You can start it if you use a screwdriver and touch the two posts on the solenoid located on the firewall. I replaced the solenoid as well as the battery terminals. I had Auto Zone test the battery and they said it was ok...any suggestions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Welcome to FTE!
It's the ignition switch in the column. You have to take apart a good chunk of the column to get to it, it's near the bottom.
And you're in the wrong forum.
Someone will move it shortly.
It's the ignition switch in the column. You have to take apart a good chunk of the column to get to it, it's near the bottom.
And you're in the wrong forum.
Someone will move it shortly.
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New User
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I was reading my post and just want to clarify that the key does in fact turn and I get power in the cab (dash lights up, my radio works, etc) and it did start, just turned over slow and then would pickup enough speed to start. I had this problem previously and replaced the solenoid on the fender and sometimes it would turn slow and sometimes it would fire right up so I thought that it was the solenoid again, but I replaced it with a new one and nothing happened so I did the screw driver thing and it started right up.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,668
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From: Easton,Ks
That thing on the fender is not the solenoid on your truck, it is a relay. They moved the solenoid down on top of the starter like on a GM.
The small wire coming from the fender relay some times will have a problem where it plugs (spade terminal) onto the solenoid on the starter.
You could have a bad solenoid (on the starter), spade terminal, or the starter itself.
Here is a diagram of your system.
The small wire coming from the fender relay some times will have a problem where it plugs (spade terminal) onto the solenoid on the starter.
You could have a bad solenoid (on the starter), spade terminal, or the starter itself.
Here is a diagram of your system.
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Do you suggest starting with the spade terminal first. Seems to me if the starter was bad, it wouldn't start right up (and I mean starts right up) when I cross the terminals on the Starter relay...also thanks for clarifying that part for me.....I am a bit slow on the terminology as I struggle with vehicle repairs...to me it is alot like playing guitar..either your born with the talent or your nothing but a hack...and I am a hack, every repair is a struggle...sometimes I am successful and sometimes I give up and pay a pro...thanks for your help.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
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This thread seems to have died, so I'm going to hijack it.
My 96 F150 5.0L has a no-start problem that is a little different. Turn the key and the relay clicks, nothing else. I replaced the battery, starter and solenoid and thought I had it licked for a few days. Then "click", the same thing. So after reading this forum, I cleaned, tightened and greased the negative cable connections coming off the battery and to the fender well. Also cleaned, tightened and greased the connections on the relay. It started right up 6 or 8 times and thought I had it licked again. Nope, same thing.
Have not replaced the starter relay on the fender well yet. At times it will click, hesitate then go ahead and start. Right now it just clicks.
More information that might help:
Lights and accessories work fine. Reverse lights do come on. Also, with the key on and a screwdriver across the relay bolts I get nothing.
Any ideas?? Thanks for your help!
My 96 F150 5.0L has a no-start problem that is a little different. Turn the key and the relay clicks, nothing else. I replaced the battery, starter and solenoid and thought I had it licked for a few days. Then "click", the same thing. So after reading this forum, I cleaned, tightened and greased the negative cable connections coming off the battery and to the fender well. Also cleaned, tightened and greased the connections on the relay. It started right up 6 or 8 times and thought I had it licked again. Nope, same thing.
Have not replaced the starter relay on the fender well yet. At times it will click, hesitate then go ahead and start. Right now it just clicks.
More information that might help:
Lights and accessories work fine. Reverse lights do come on. Also, with the key on and a screwdriver across the relay bolts I get nothing.
Any ideas?? Thanks for your help!
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For the latest on my no-start problem, I pulled off the positive battery terminal and peeled back the insulation and it looked good. No corrosion or broken strands. I tightened that back down and looked at the spade connector underneath on the solenoid. Moved it around, pushed and pulled on it but didn't take it loose while I was under there. I then turned the key and it started right up.
After shutting it off, just for kicks I put a screwdriver across the relay posts on the fender well and it started right up. After that I went ahead and cut about an inch back on the spade connector wire and crimped on a new connector. The insulation on that wire is brittle and cracked about 4 or 5 inches back so I put some black tape on it for now.
So far so good. Don't know if the spade connector fixed it or jiggling the positive cables did it. I'll wait and see. If it does it again I guess I'll replace the positive terminal. I've put bits and pieces together from this and other threads to get this far. I hope this helps others with the same problem.
Since the screwdriver trick worked, does that mean the relay is good? If the relay goes bad does it just quit or can it be intermittent? Thanks for all your help!
After shutting it off, just for kicks I put a screwdriver across the relay posts on the fender well and it started right up. After that I went ahead and cut about an inch back on the spade connector wire and crimped on a new connector. The insulation on that wire is brittle and cracked about 4 or 5 inches back so I put some black tape on it for now.
So far so good. Don't know if the spade connector fixed it or jiggling the positive cables did it. I'll wait and see. If it does it again I guess I'll replace the positive terminal. I've put bits and pieces together from this and other threads to get this far. I hope this helps others with the same problem.
Since the screwdriver trick worked, does that mean the relay is good? If the relay goes bad does it just quit or can it be intermittent? Thanks for all your help!
