Won't Restart

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Mar 20, 2002 | 01:18 PM

Jason 88F150

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Won't Restart

New member here. I just bought an '88 2wd with a five speed manual and the 300 I6. Engine runs good (although it does have a bit of a 'lope' to it). Drives great, good power, etc. I have noticed that if it stalls out, it can be very hard to start. Often, the longer it is driven before stalling out (getting used to the personality of the clutch), the harder it is to start. It will crank maybe once or twice, very slowly, then I wait for a few seconds, and usually the same thing happens. Battery indicator shows good volts, and all electrical accessories seem to work fine and do not lose power while driving. When I start it first thing in the morning or after a day at work, it starts fine. When I can't start it. ther are no clicking sounds or anything like that, just a coupe of slow cranks and then nothing. When it totally stops trying, my dash lights do dim considerably. After anywhere from 5 to 50 tries, it fires right up. The only thing I've had time to check are the battery terminal connections and they are okay. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks, Jason.

Jason Fannin
1988 F150
300 I6, 2WD, SWB

Mar 20, 2002 | 02:32 PM

tmcalavy

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Won't Restart

Sounds like you have a heat problem, either the starter is getting too hot after an extended run or the red battery cable isn't allowing enough juice through it after a run. Next time it does this, go under neath and carefully feel the starter. If its real hot, you might want to wrap it with some shield material...some guys with v-8's and headers have this problem, and solve it by shielding/wrapping the starter. If the starter ain't particularly hot, try going to a bigger guage red battery cable. Yours is probably an 8 gauge. Put a four guage tractor cable on there and check/clean all your battery and solenoid connections, plus the ground off the Neg. battery terminal. You can get the larger gauge cable at Walmart or a farm store, maybe auto parts stores, too. I got mine at W-mart. The larger cable lets enough volts/juice through even when hot. I did this on my 90 F150 and it stopped the sluggish starts in our HOT W. Texas summers. Hope this helps.

Mar 20, 2002 | 02:53 PM

tmcalavy

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Won't Restart

Had another thought. Next time it does this, get out and rap the starter relay with whatever is handy, screwdriver, etc. If it starts then, while still hot, it probably is your relay. Can't remember where the relay is on an '88, but a repair manual will show you where or maybe another here can tell you in later posts. The relay only costs about $12. If yours is original equipment, it may be time to replace it.

Mar 20, 2002 | 04:13 PM

DrFord

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Won't Restart

if it is stock(or even an older aftermarket)starter, replace it. I had the same problem, when the starter gets hot, it's resistance is lowered and will not let the proper amount of juice through. mine would do the excact same thing, I had to roll my truck off a time or two. bought a new starter for $40 and solved the problem. No more looking like an idiot while pushing my truck off at the gas station.

Mar 20, 2002 | 04:48 PM

tetraruby

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Won't Restart

Probably not heat related, but also check the ground connection to the block.

Mar 22, 2002 | 10:02 AM

Jason 88F150

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Won't Restart

Thanks for all the quick responses. I had some trouble this morning (temperature <20°) so I'm replacing the starter today.

Mar 22, 2002 | 10:14 AM

PAUL_2

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Won't Restart

Have a good look at the ground cable before you replace the starter , those things literally corrode to death internally . It may look fine on the outside , but being 14 yrs old Im betting thats a lot of the problem . The cable is bare about half way down the cable & it attaches to the frame at that point , thats where the corrosion begins & works it way thru the length of the cable .