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1998 E-150 Van Question

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Old Jun 27, 2006 | 09:47 PM
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Tom F
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1998 E-150 Van Question

When I go to start my van I turn the key and there is nothing but a little click noise under the hood. I turn the switch a few more times and it will start. I can go the next day and have no trouble and all. This is an on and off thing. Could this be a selinoide problem? I was told there is one by the battery. Are they hard to replace? Never changed one before.
Thanks for any HELP..

Tom.........
 
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Old Jun 28, 2006 | 07:59 AM
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c96drumm
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Check the condition of the battery cables and terminals, if you haven't already done that. Corroded or loose connections can cause that. The cables can corrode inside the insulation, too.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2006 | 12:48 PM
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by Tom F
When I go to start my van I turn the key and there is nothing but a little click noise under the hood. I turn the switch a few more times and it will start. I can go the next day and have no trouble and all. This is an on and off thing. Could this be a selinoide problem? I was told there is one by the battery. Are they hard to replace? Never changed one before.
Thanks for any HELP..

Tom.........
There is a spade or small bolt terminal on the starter Solenoid. This wire has a habit of causing this, you need to cut back about an inch of wire and put a new terminal on this small wire.
The Starter Solenoid is mounted on the Starter and what you hear under the hood clicking is the Starter Relay.

Here is a diagram.

 
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Old Jun 29, 2006 | 03:01 PM
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Click-Click

I recently had this very problem with my 1995 E150 Conversion. The 11 year old starter/solinoid was intermittant in starting and let the starter let out a terrific "SCREEEEECH" when engaged almost like the serpintine belt was slipping. I replaced the 11 year old belt tensioner and belt but it still "SCREEECHED" loudly. Replaced the 135 Amp starter/solinoid with a reman unit ($99.99 w/$40 core) from AutoZone and all is quiet now. The drive gear on the starter was worn and was responsible for the loud noise when starting and the starter solinoid spade connector was the intermittant start problem. Interestingly the AutoZone reman unit was equipt with your choice of spade or bolt connector unlike the original I replaced. I went with the bolt connector this time around for comparision purposes. Good Luck!
 
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