Starter/Solenoid/Relay question
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Starter/Solenoid/Relay question
I apologize to anyone I upset. Anyway, I've got a 2003 F150 with a 4.6 and it won't start. It makes a clicking noise and it seemed like it needed a boost. Well I hooked up the battery charger to it and it said the battery was fully charged. So I searched for the clicking noise and I found 2 relays under the dash making the noise. I called a few places and was told it was the probably the solenoid. I changed that and I still have the same problems. But I heard a knocking noise in the engine, on the driver side. I searched the articles before posting this but couldn't find anything. Any help will be definately appreciated. And also, I'd like to say hello since this is my first post...hopefully of many I'll be doing here.
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Hello ImmortallyInsane1978 and welcome to FTE. 
The starter relay supplies power to the starter solenoid, which is on the starter itself. The starter has battery power to it directly that is engaged by the solenoid to turn the motor on and start the engine.
So, inspect the connections at the starter. Use a voltmeter at the starter to see if you have 12 volts when the truck won't start. Both wires will have voltage when the key is in the start position. The big cable will have voltage all the time. By the way, a voltmeter is better to use than a test light and the voltage level should be in the 12 volt area. Good luck!
The starter relay supplies power to the starter solenoid, which is on the starter itself. The starter has battery power to it directly that is engaged by the solenoid to turn the motor on and start the engine.
So, inspect the connections at the starter. Use a voltmeter at the starter to see if you have 12 volts when the truck won't start. Both wires will have voltage when the key is in the start position. The big cable will have voltage all the time. By the way, a voltmeter is better to use than a test light and the voltage level should be in the 12 volt area. Good luck!
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New question...I hear a knocking near the engine. I located the sound and it's coming from a box that says Kelsey Haynes. I'm curious as to what this would be. Anyone know? Could it the ABS sensor/computer?
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Okay, I've narrowed it down to the starter. SO! Here's my problem...how many bolts do I have to take off? Everyone I talked to says there should be three bolts. So...is this true? And if so, where are they located?
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I have never changed the starter on an F-150 but, I have heard that there are three bolts. The top bolt is particularly difficult to get to without a long extension. Good luck!
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Well got the starter off, took it down to get tested and it worked fine. So, put it back on the truck and it fired up. But I smelled something burning...so I shut off the engine. Well come to find out, the starter was pretty warm. Everyone has told me to check the wiring, since it might be shorting out. The wires I did check, they seem fine. No damages...but could it still be the starter? Since it didn't fire up after that.
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