Hey there....I have a problem with my 86 F150. It was driving perfectly yesterday and when I went to start it today I got the dead battery sound and then it stopped. I tried to boost it and it tried to turn over but couldn't. I replaced the battery and then saw smoke comming from the solinoid and a clicking sound that seemed to be coming from the starter.....I replaced the solinoid but I still get the clicking sound (kind of like a machine gun actually)

What am i to do?

Thanks, dave

 

have the starter tested
I replaced mine and also tightened all wires after jumping solenoid and getting same result. Worked fine. Look at the cable specifically from the batt to starter solenoid, and check wiring connections at starter as well. Starter replacement on my truck took 10 mins.

Took me longer to drive to AZ and get the thing tested and replaced.

 

I can get the starter tested? I guess any garage can do that for me ($$?)

The cable from the battery to the solinoid is starting to look a bit worn, there are some wires showing before the clamp too, but none look to be broken.

I bought a starter from Orange County Starter for $70.00 pretty cheap I think. You read my mind, I was wondering about the install time and procedure. I guess the only thing I need to remember is to disconnect the battery...

Thanks

 

no you wouldnt pay for it do you have an Autozone near you? pull the starter off and bring it in they will test it for free and try to sell you one, I believe a reman 1 year warr cost me 49.99

Anyways that will help you track it down. Do you have a digital meter? If not they are cheap and you need one. Make sure your battery is producing 12.6 volts when the truck is off. Start with that.

Good luck, you'll get it tracked down I am sure.

 

Good idea, I will start with the battery and take the starter to get it tested...hopefully it is the starter, I have been reading some postes that have had similar problems and I hope we are right.

Thanks - I will keep you posted

 

First rule of auto mechanics...it's usually something simple! Clean the battery cable connections...both ends.

 

Good advice! I always seem to look for the complicated solution. I am getting the starter tested tonight (if I have time)

Thanks

 

Dave something to keep in mind is that all electrical connections must be kept tight and corrosion free. Now, mind ye, this doesn't mean just the terminal ends of the connections!!! You mentioned that the main wire leading to the starter was bare in spots. That's a warning sign! The wires used through-out our vehicles are usually "stranded wires." This means the wires are not solid copper wire..they are a bundle of small diameter copper wires. When the insulation covering said wires is broken it allows moisture/corrosion to enter the bundle of wires and break down the carrying capacity (voltage) of the wire. Even though the ends of the wire may be clean and tight..the corrosion entering the strands of wire will cut down on the voltage reaching the starter/soloniod/alternator. Also there have been a host of posts concerning bad solonoids purchased from certain suppliers. One last thought is to beware parts available for "so cheap you wouldn't believe it" prices. Generally one gets what one pays for. JMHO of course. Audie..the oldfart..

 

Good advice in there oldfart. Well here's the whole story as it unfolded Friday night to Saturday morning:

Got the starter tested and found out that it was bad, bought a new starter and installed it (you're right jonh 10 mins). The battery was dead so when I put the cables to the battery I still got smoke coming from the solinoid.....by this time neighbors had gathered and were offering advice. So off the starter came again (thinking that maybe it was a bad starter) we tested the starter by putting the cables to it and seeing if it would spin, it did, so we figured that it as good. So I put it back on (for those of you who are counting that's two times I installed the same starter. Put the cables on the battery and still got smoke from the solinoid......it was getting dark so I so &^% it.

The next day I figured that the starter and solinoid must be bad! I have limited mechanic knowledge, but we did everthing right something else must be wrong. So I retured the starter and solinoid and told them that they were bad, went back home installed the two and badda bing badda boom it worked!

I am both happy and pissed that I got it to work but the original parts were defective....thanks for all the advice guys!

 

sweet!
now if I could just get this old 77 volvo started it would be all gravy!

 

Check grounds. Neg terminal to frame, frame to engine...