Starter problems??
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New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3
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Starter problems??
Just bought a 1992 F-150. Started just fine when I test drove and when I went to pick it up..day after I brought it home..won't start. Makes loud clicking noise when I turn the key. Tried using a wire to skip the solenoid/relay there by the fender...got same clicking noise. Battery is supposedly new..looks new..but when I tried the wire/solenoid thing..the battery hissed a bit near the negative connection and I even saw a small wisp of "smoke". Battery is being tested now..if that is not the problem..could it be the starter? Have seen some posts where someone mentions clicking and always seems to be the issue. Please help! I am not mechanically inclined when it comes to cars..but I can follow instructions!!! Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
You've ruled out a bunch of things, so it's either the starter, the battery, or the battery cables themselves. Good news is that the battery and the starter can be tested, so if they're OK, you can just buy new battery cables.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 718
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when you turn the key forward, or back, are you getting the radio, lights etc?
I am thinking if the truck started fine for test driving, and didnt miss or wind, it wouldn't be the starter, but get the battery and starter tested both, jsut for future reference. Its good to just replace your battery cables and terminals anyway. Cheap, and well worth it.
I am thinking if the truck started fine for test driving, and didnt miss or wind, it wouldn't be the starter, but get the battery and starter tested both, jsut for future reference. Its good to just replace your battery cables and terminals anyway. Cheap, and well worth it.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Well, they told me my battery was dead..which was weird since lights and everything would work..so I bought a new one...still won't start. No clicking when I turn the key now...but if I use the wire across the relay/solenoid thing there off the fender it will click. Still get that "hissing" sound from the negative battery terminal...thinking maybe it is the cable??
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
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sounds like cable replacement. The resistance in the cable is A. straining your battery, B. not letting enough amperage get to your starter. I wouldn't try it any more till you do that to avoid damaging your new battery.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Central VA
You'll be back to cleaning them again, the F-150 is real picky about having clean battery connections. My 95 has did that to me at least 3 times. I had a good run last time of 6 months or more, and even though the battery terminals on the ends of my cables were clean, where the wires clamped into the terminals was not. A little wire brushing and it started up again fine.
Also, there is a negative wire attached to the starter with a simple spade connector. Down there in all the water and salt and what-not. That's been a problem for me once or twice. I got a NAPA replacement starter and it has a better redesigned connection for the negative wire.
Also, there is a negative wire attached to the starter with a simple spade connector. Down there in all the water and salt and what-not. That's been a problem for me once or twice. I got a NAPA replacement starter and it has a better redesigned connection for the negative wire.