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Old Jul 8, 2006 | 05:19 PM
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Another Starting Problem

I tried a search but found nothing.
My 1987 F150 4x4 won't start again.I turn the key on and pumps come on and I get a buzzing clicking noise from the starter relay (Soloniod?) on the rtight Fender. I bought a new one but it had to small male terminals and Mine only has 1. I put it on anyway and I still had the problem. I cleaned all the terminals and charged the battery real good but still no start but that same buzzing noise.
Can some recommend what I should try next. get another solenoid or what?
It was working just fine last week when I posted a problem with fuel pump wiring problem.
Thank for any advice.
ZZ
 
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Old Jul 8, 2006 | 05:39 PM
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Take a meter and put the + lead on point #3 in the diagram above, and put the negative lead on a clean place on the engine block. Get someone to try to crank the engine, and see what voltage you have when the relay is buzzing.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2006 | 06:03 PM
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I will see if I can borrow an volt meter and give that a try.
What should it read anyway?
thanks.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2006 | 07:49 PM
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by zzjonze
I will see if I can borrow an volt meter and give that a try.
What should it read anyway?
thanks.
It should stay above 11 Volts while cranking with a fully charged battery, buzzing would be about 4 to 6 Volts I think and below that I would not think you would not hear anything.

If it stays around 12V and buzzes then you have a bad Body ground.

Also check the small black wire with a green or white stripe leaving the Neg (-) post of your battery and make sure it is well grounded, it has nothing to do with this problem but gives headaches on truck in the late 80s.
 

Last edited by subford; Jul 8, 2006 at 07:58 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 10:01 AM
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Thanks Subford
Still wont start!
It seems something is draining my battery too.
Yesterday I cleaned all the battery terminals real good and charged battery. Today battery is dead again.
Since I dont have access to an volt meter I will check out grounds. Hopefully I can trace something down.
will make sure that ground wire off - terminal is grounded good too.
ZZ
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 10:38 AM
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I finally got voltmeter and checked it. Setting it is @13v trying to start it drops to 7.5v
Does this indicate a bad starter solenoid?
ZZ
 

Last edited by zzjonze; Jul 9, 2006 at 10:45 AM.
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 11:31 AM
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it could be a bad starter or a bad battery. charge the battery, and have it load tested. this will tell you if it is good or not.
it almost sounds like the battery is taking a surface charge, but when you put any load on it, it fails.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 02:08 PM
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What now? lol!
I took starter off took to AZ and had tested, it was good. I put another new solonoid on. I cleaned with die grinder all connections positive and negative grounds to cab and wires to solonoid. I did have a fused link going to the solonoid break off so I spliced that back. I put the little female connector to the solonoid post marked "S". While gone to get solonoid and starter checked I had battery charger on another battery charging.
Turned key on and still get buzzing noise from solonoid. I have put one on from pep boys and one from autozone. plus the original one.
Just wonder what I'm overlooking?
ZZ
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 02:45 PM
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Let's see if I have this correct:

3 different batteries, known to be charged, all do the same thing.

The cable ends have been cleaned, including point #4.

If all the above is correct, then the cable from #1 to #3 is bad or the cable from #2 to #4 is bad.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 04:37 PM
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Almost correct. I have tried 2 different batteries, 3 different solonoids ( 2 new ones) I even tried to jump start the truck.
I will start trying to change battery cables next, As soon as I get a ride back to the parts store.
Do you have a starting wiring diagram for the 1987, My good old Haynes manual does not show that.
Or tell me where I can look that wiring diagram up please.
Thanks for your replies
ZZ
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 07:11 PM
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I couldn't get back to the parts store to change the cables but I did use jumper cables between 1 & 3 cable and 2 and 4 cable. Still buzzes and won't turn starter on.
I need to know if all the wires with those fusable links go on point 3 in the diagram?
Thanks
ZZ
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 08:48 PM
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need to know if all the wires with those fusable links go on point 3 in the diagram?
Yes. Point #3 is were the main power for the whole truck is taken.

I like the jumper cable idea you had. Let's take that one step further. Take the jumper cable and jump from point #1 to point #6. MAKE SURE THE TRUCK IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL BEFORE YOU DO THIS. As soon as you touch the jumper cable to point #6, the starter should crank without messing with the keyswitch.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2006 | 10:08 AM
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From: Easton,Ks
Try taking a socket with a hinge wrench (breaker bar) and try and turn the engine at the crank, if it is locked up and the starter can not turn it, it will act like you described.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2006 | 10:18 AM
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OK! I jumped between 1 and 6 and I heard lil sound down by starter. I have taken it back off again and done my own test with jumper cables and starter wont kick in. I hold the bendix down and it runs but it wont do both. I am concluding " bad starter"
Thanks all for the help. I will post afeter I get new starter on.
ZZ
 
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Old Jul 10, 2006 | 05:09 PM
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Well Dam!!!
I went got a starter from salvage yard and out it on and still buzzed. Put old starter back on and still no start.
Battery now?
ZZ
 
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