Starter Relay or DTR
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New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4
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Starter Relay or DTR
Hi all,
1999 F150, 5.4L, 4x4, auto, with anti-theft. Everything appears normal, no blown fuses. Battery charged. All cable ends clean. Fuseable link good. Turn key to start, single relay click sound and nothing. Engine doesn't turn, soleniod doesn't flutter. Replaced starter/solenoid assembly, same thing. Theft light does not flash rapidly while key in the start position. Jumping the terminals at the starter solenoid (on the starter) and she fires right up. Now from what I've researched on here, I'm suspecting either the DTR sensor on the transmission or a starter relay. The owner's manual doesn't show where the starter relay is located. So if anyone could give me a specific location as to where it's located, that would be great. If the relay turns out to be good, I guess I'll need help with testing the DTR. I'm afraid to ask how much the DTR will cost. One thing that is making me suspect the DTR is a month or so ago, the OD Off light was flashing. Disconnected the battery for 20 minutes and that problem went away. I think it was trying to give me a heads-up. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
WGW
1999 F150, 5.4L, 4x4, auto, with anti-theft. Everything appears normal, no blown fuses. Battery charged. All cable ends clean. Fuseable link good. Turn key to start, single relay click sound and nothing. Engine doesn't turn, soleniod doesn't flutter. Replaced starter/solenoid assembly, same thing. Theft light does not flash rapidly while key in the start position. Jumping the terminals at the starter solenoid (on the starter) and she fires right up. Now from what I've researched on here, I'm suspecting either the DTR sensor on the transmission or a starter relay. The owner's manual doesn't show where the starter relay is located. So if anyone could give me a specific location as to where it's located, that would be great. If the relay turns out to be good, I guess I'll need help with testing the DTR. I'm afraid to ask how much the DTR will cost. One thing that is making me suspect the DTR is a month or so ago, the OD Off light was flashing. Disconnected the battery for 20 minutes and that problem went away. I think it was trying to give me a heads-up. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
WGW
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Hello wgwgoldwing and welcome to FTE. 
The starter relay is going to be near the rear of the engine compartment on the right hand side. Power comes from F21 (15A) in the Central Junction Box. From there to the DTR. Out of the DTR on a tan/red wire to the starter relay. The starter relay in turn supplies power from the battery through a fusible link to the starter motor solenoid and the motor itself. This is all from the wiring schematics on my truck so, there may be some differences. Good luck!
The starter relay is going to be near the rear of the engine compartment on the right hand side. Power comes from F21 (15A) in the Central Junction Box. From there to the DTR. Out of the DTR on a tan/red wire to the starter relay. The starter relay in turn supplies power from the battery through a fusible link to the starter motor solenoid and the motor itself. This is all from the wiring schematics on my truck so, there may be some differences. Good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Hello wgwgoldwing and welcome to FTE.
The starter relay is going to be near the rear of the engine compartment on the right hand side. Power comes from F21 (15A) in the Central Junction Box. From there to the DTR. Out of the DTR on a tan/red wire to the starter relay. The starter relay in turn supplies power from the battery through a fusible link to the starter motor solenoid and the motor itself. This is all from the wiring schematics on my truck so, there may be some differences. Good luck!
The starter relay is going to be near the rear of the engine compartment on the right hand side. Power comes from F21 (15A) in the Central Junction Box. From there to the DTR. Out of the DTR on a tan/red wire to the starter relay. The starter relay in turn supplies power from the battery through a fusible link to the starter motor solenoid and the motor itself. This is all from the wiring schematics on my truck so, there may be some differences. Good luck!
Can someone tell me where (i.e. maybe with a picture...because I'm special) the starter relay is? My factory manual doesn't have a diagram of the underhood panel (I'm assuming it's in there). There are two identical relays. I'm just going to try both if I don't hear anything.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
The start relay is not in that box.
Read your qoute again.
Rear of engine compartment but on the 'fire wall', on the battery side.
It has heavey leads and light leads.
The heavey leads are the battery power to the starter.
The light leads are the crank power to the relay from the ignition switch.
Read your qoute again.
Rear of engine compartment but on the 'fire wall', on the battery side.
It has heavey leads and light leads.
The heavey leads are the battery power to the starter.
The light leads are the crank power to the relay from the ignition switch.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
The start relay is not in that box.
Read your qoute again.
Rear of engine compartment but on the 'fire wall', on the battery side.
It has heavey leads and light leads.
The heavey leads are the battery power to the starter.
The light leads are the crank power to the relay from the ignition switch.
Read your qoute again.
Rear of engine compartment but on the 'fire wall', on the battery side.
It has heavey leads and light leads.
The heavey leads are the battery power to the starter.
The light leads are the crank power to the relay from the ignition switch.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2014
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Similar Problem - More Help Needed
All,
So I came across this problem today was able to jump the posts on the starter relay and headed up to a buddies of mine. Per the great advice I found on this site I replaced the starter relay and it started right up but things didn't sound exactly right. Driving home from my buddies I heard what I can best describe as an electrical pop, notice that the battery light come on. When I got home shut the truck off and then tried restarting but no crank over. It does make a loud click at the new relay. Also it doesn't appear to have power at the terminals because attempting to jump the posts with a screw driver is no producing any spark or crank over. Speaking to my friend about the noise I heard after replacement, he was thinking that perhaps the starter failed to disengage and that perhaps it burnt out on the way home.
Looking for a bit of suggestion/guidance on next steps to take. Thanks in advance
So I came across this problem today was able to jump the posts on the starter relay and headed up to a buddies of mine. Per the great advice I found on this site I replaced the starter relay and it started right up but things didn't sound exactly right. Driving home from my buddies I heard what I can best describe as an electrical pop, notice that the battery light come on. When I got home shut the truck off and then tried restarting but no crank over. It does make a loud click at the new relay. Also it doesn't appear to have power at the terminals because attempting to jump the posts with a screw driver is no producing any spark or crank over. Speaking to my friend about the noise I heard after replacement, he was thinking that perhaps the starter failed to disengage and that perhaps it burnt out on the way home.
Looking for a bit of suggestion/guidance on next steps to take. Thanks in advance
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
I would first test the large 175 amp fuse, then proceed from that point depending on the result.
A no charge condition and a no crank may or may not be related.
You must get the motor running to check the charging system.
Good luck.
A no charge condition and a no crank may or may not be related.
You must get the motor running to check the charging system.
Good luck.
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thank you for the rapid reply, do you know which of the large fuses in the fuse box is actually the one I should be checking?
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Things I have done.....
- Validated that the lower post on the relay is live
- Validated that the upper post on the relay has power through it when the key is turn to the start position
- Removed the plastic case of the fuse link and visually inspected it and it appears to be intact
I really appreaciate the advice, I've been under the truck and believe that I should be able to pull the starter without to much trouble, or at least no more than one would expect. However, it is enough of an effort I hate to make that step blindly before ruling out any other easier less expensive solutions.