Ok, here goes! My brother in law has an 1997 F150 and it will not start. We thought it was the battery so we had it tested and it is good. So we tried the alternator and that is good as well. We even changed the solenoid thinking it was that, wrong. So my queston is, what else could it be? We think it may be the starter but we can't seem to get it off. And the weird thing is when the key are not in the ignition and the door is open it dings like the keys were in the ingition but there not. Does anyone know what could be causing that.

 

Any clicking or noise when you try to start? Both problems might lead to switch.

 

Yes there is some noise but it sounds like it is coming from the fuse box and when the keys are NOT in the ignition you can hear the dinging like if the keys were in the ignition but they are not and then when you put the keys in the ignition and try to start it you hear nothing.

 

is it maybe the headlight warning chime? And as for the not starting thing, turn the key just to the run position and listen for the fuel pump buzzing. It should buzz for about 2-3 seconds. If not maybe a fuel pump, relay...etc.

 

Check your connections on the starter and the battery. It could even be the +battery cable rubbed through on the frame. Mine was like that when my starter crapped out. Never noticed because the truck always started.

As for the dinging not sure what to tell you. I have a 97 F150 also and it does the same thing but not all the time. Been doing so long i just ignore it.

 

Here is my response to another thread with a similar problem to yours.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/639877-starter-solenoid-relay-question.html

Good luck!