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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Starter Relay CLICK

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Old Aug 14, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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Talking Starter Relay CLICK

I searched and read quite a bit, but i couldnt find out the test with the headlights. Last night i tried to turn it over with the lights on and they dimmed. New battery,

new positive and negative cables.

I read that if the lights dimmed, it was a problem before the start. i wasnt looking forward to changing it out.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2007 | 06:42 PM
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From: Easton,Ks
If your headlights dim with a new good battery and new battery cables and the cables are getting very hot very fast then you either have a bad starter or the engine is very hard to turn.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 11:17 PM
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Starter is good, i had it checked this morning. I looked and could not find the fusible links, i was told to check all of those. Its a 89 f150 4.9 with 75k on it.. what do check next. i have double checked all grounds from battery to block, block to frame and back again. I have tried three different starter relays. Tried jumping across the relay as well
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by bobscoot000
Tried jumping across the relay as well
Do you mean going across the terminals with a screwdriver?

Dimming headlights when starting usually indicate a bad battery. Since the soleniod clicks, maybe something in the mechanism is hung up.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 12:50 AM
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i have read thru almost 30 pages of info on here but keep reading the same things. i need to find my meter. the battery is brand new but i didnt even think about that its probably been sitting for a year.

Yes i tried across with the screw driver, it started to weld its self to the post. Not sure if that means anything or not. When i turn the key and it clicks the lights dim. hopefully its a bad battery
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by bobscoot000
Yes i tried across with the screw driver, it started to weld its self to the post. Not sure if that means anything or not.
The cause is a bit over my head, but the effect is most definitely not good.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 06:24 AM
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From: Goose Creek SC
My money is on the battery. test it, charge it and let us know.
I did get a click from a bad connection on one of the starter wires at the starter, cleaned and crimped it and it's good now.....but I think yours is the battery.

Good Luck
Bob
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 07:20 AM
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From: Easton,Ks
Put a socket and a hinge wrench on the crank bolt and see if the engine turns free (not locked up).
If it turns OK change the starter.
Where did you get the starter?
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 10:13 AM
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the starter is stock, i had it tested at o rileys and i did the test my self the first time and it worked and also did it a few more times. it extendeds and spins
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 11:21 AM
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I used a set of jumper cables and jumped 6 to 7 with a positive, and took the negative side 2 to 7 on a bolt holding. so im guessing its either the starter cable or the ground cable.
Battery was load tested and good
But now i took off the jumper cables and it starts fine evey time?? im baffled i know it is probably only fixed for now but i dont want to get stuck some where from a wire i didnt fix.. thanks for the help to. on s10forum i have a huge post count so to come here and be a noob is different.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2007 | 12:43 PM
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also the first test i ran was with only +start to +relay post. no start only a click. The second test i left the positive the same, and connected the -starter mounting bolt to -battery and it fired up. so would that mean my - cable is bad? i just went and bought a new one anyways but should i replace the starter cable as well?
 
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