Starting Problem
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New User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18
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Starting Problem
Hi all, got a question:
90' F-150 x-cab in-line 6 4.9
Got a good battery (approx 4 mos. old). Went to store tonight for some errands and when i got back in the truck it acted like the battery was going dead. After a few times of slow cranking it finally came to the "click-click-click" sound which usually means the battery is dead (to me), but the wierd part is that i turned on the headlights and they were bright just like a full charge battery would provide. A jump got me home and i tried then and still slow cranking, this has happened before but if it sits til morning it will start right up, but still cranks slow. Any ideas as to what's going on? I'm talking about the battery but realize it may have nothing to do with it, any help would be appreciated. thanks
90' F-150 x-cab in-line 6 4.9
Got a good battery (approx 4 mos. old). Went to store tonight for some errands and when i got back in the truck it acted like the battery was going dead. After a few times of slow cranking it finally came to the "click-click-click" sound which usually means the battery is dead (to me), but the wierd part is that i turned on the headlights and they were bright just like a full charge battery would provide. A jump got me home and i tried then and still slow cranking, this has happened before but if it sits til morning it will start right up, but still cranks slow. Any ideas as to what's going on? I'm talking about the battery but realize it may have nothing to do with it, any help would be appreciated. thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
Starting Problem
I would think its your starter, or your starter cable... its too close to the exhaust manifolds getting hot, which increases resistance and makes it harder to start.
I'd look to my starter, and cable first, and make sure the terminals on my battery were clean, and tight.
HTH
I'd look to my starter, and cable first, and make sure the terminals on my battery were clean, and tight.
HTH
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Starting Problem
I agree with the starter diagnosis - mine went bad and melted the positive battery wire & ruined the relay. 
Otherwise, it HAS to be a bad engine ground or starter wire/terminals/relay. Try jumping the relay's biggest terminals with a THICK screwdriver (and the truck in N or P, of course!) - if the starter spins up normally, it's definitely the relay. If it throws a big spark & still lags, it's definitely the starter. If it lags but doesn't throw a monster spark, it's probably the ground, the starter wire, or its connections.
Otherwise, it HAS to be a bad engine ground or starter wire/terminals/relay. Try jumping the relay's biggest terminals with a THICK screwdriver (and the truck in N or P, of course!) - if the starter spins up normally, it's definitely the relay. If it throws a big spark & still lags, it's definitely the starter. If it lags but doesn't throw a monster spark, it's probably the ground, the starter wire, or its connections.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,728
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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
Starting Problem
I had the same problem but, it was almost all the time. I found that the ground cable from the battery runs about six feet and grounds on one of the starter hold down bolts. The wire that is used for factory cables is marginal in size, about the size of a cheap set of k-mart jumper cables. I bought an 18 inch #2 cable and grounded it on the alternator bracket. I also changed the positive cable going to the solenoid with a #2 size cable. That was a year ago and I have not had any problems since. Mine would drop the voltage so low that when trying to start it in the morning the radio would loose the memory of the stations I had programed in it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 1
From: redding U.S.A.
Starting Problem
Get a pair of jumper cables and hook em up straight to the starter. If it spins easy, then you got yourself a connection problem.
If it still doesn't, then its gotta be a bad starter, or a bad battery.
If it still doesn't, then its gotta be a bad starter, or a bad battery.
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19
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From: Frostburg USA
Starting Problem
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Dec-02 AT 05:09 PM (EST)]My truck did the same thing my dad is a mechanic and he told me to take off and clean the battery terminals I looked at him and said but the lights are just as bright as they should be he told me to do it anyway sure enough he was right that fixed my problem so it may be your terminals. As odd as it seams
If that does not work go with what these guys are telling you that will narrow it down to what is wrong.
If that does not work go with what these guys are telling you that will narrow it down to what is wrong.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 1
From: redding U.S.A.
Starting Problem
thats because the starter draws many many more amps than the headlights, and if the connection isn't very good, its not going to get the juice it needs.
If you try the jumper cables, you'll skip straight to the starter, if it works, you know that you have a connection problem somewhere. If it doesn't, and the engine runs fine, then its something with the starter itself.
If you try the jumper cables, you'll skip straight to the starter, if it works, you know that you have a connection problem somewhere. If it doesn't, and the engine runs fine, then its something with the starter itself.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2001
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Starting Problem
Ok thanks guys: I'm going to try all the suggestions given (when i get a day off) exept i know the battery is good and new, and i had just put new batt terminals on with a clean tight fit. Thanks for all the advice, as it seems my troubles never cease. This is a great group, Hope everyone had a good x-mas.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Starting Problem
My ground cable from the starter went bad, it corroded where it attaches to the frame crossmember. This caused a no start. Replace ground cable, problem gone.
1989 F-150 XLT Lariat 4.9 M5OD RC LB 2WD 214,000 miles
2003 F-250 XLT 6.0 6sp CC SB 2WD <----on order
1989 F-150 XLT Lariat 4.9 M5OD RC LB 2WD 214,000 miles
2003 F-250 XLT 6.0 6sp CC SB 2WD <----on order
