need help-won't start
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Senior User
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need help-won't start
I'm having a problem getting my 52 F3 to start. The solenoid clicks but that's it. I've checked my connections and cleaned them. It was running fine. No problems starting at all. Now, nothing but the click. Any suggestons?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
OK. I'm no mechanical guru, but here's what I would do:
1. Put a meter across the battery terminals to check that it is fully charged.
2. Check the ground strap from the engine to the frame and make sure it has clean ends and getting good contact.
3. It may be that the bendix gear of the starter is jammed onto the flywheel. To free it, pull the spark plugs, put the truck in gear, and rock the truck forward/backward to turn the motor over. This should break the bendix gear loose. If the motor turns over, and it still won't start,
4. Pull the starter and check to see if it is free-turning. If not, it needs a rebuild or replacement.
If none of that works, you'll need to talk to somebody who actually knows stuff.
1. Put a meter across the battery terminals to check that it is fully charged.
2. Check the ground strap from the engine to the frame and make sure it has clean ends and getting good contact.
3. It may be that the bendix gear of the starter is jammed onto the flywheel. To free it, pull the spark plugs, put the truck in gear, and rock the truck forward/backward to turn the motor over. This should break the bendix gear loose. If the motor turns over, and it still won't start,
4. Pull the starter and check to see if it is free-turning. If not, it needs a rebuild or replacement.
If none of that works, you'll need to talk to somebody who actually knows stuff.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Or............the relay is closing but the contacts are so pitted/burnt they do not let the voltage/current thru.
Check for voltage on the starter side of the relay when the solenoid is closed, all the other ideas are good ones though
Also you can jump the battery + to the starter side of the relay, watch out as the starter will turn if it is good. If not wire to starter, ground wire/strap, starter, or low battery is the problem.
Check for voltage on the starter side of the relay when the solenoid is closed, all the other ideas are good ones though
Also you can jump the battery + to the starter side of the relay, watch out as the starter will turn if it is good. If not wire to starter, ground wire/strap, starter, or low battery is the problem.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,967
From: Rio Rancho, NM
This might seem silly but try to turn the engine over manually.
You might also try bypassing the starter solenoid and going straight to the starter with some jumper cables (please make sure truck is in nuetral and the wheels are chocked before trying this)
Bobby
You might also try bypassing the starter solenoid and going straight to the starter with some jumper cables (please make sure truck is in nuetral and the wheels are chocked before trying this)
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
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From: NM
If it's a stock engine, the starter drive could be hung on the flywheel. It's pretty common, but usually you smell the starter getting hot when it happens.
You might want to read Bob49F2's thread on "the little things".
You might want to read Bob49F2's thread on "the little things".
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Okay, I've checked everything but the starter itself. I'm trying to pull it right now but it won't budge. The outer case on the starter is comming out but not the shaft and everything connected to it. I've tried rocking the truck with it in gear and trying to muscle it but nothing seems to work. Any help would be greatly needed and appriciated.
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I've checked all the grounds and they're clean. I'm going to try to get the starter out again tonight. Are there any other bolts I need to remove other than the 2 on the back of the starter?
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 907
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From: Kansas City, Mo
Starter
Sounds like you have a shaft hung up on the flywheel. Tranny in netural, spark plugs removed. Try to rotate engine with the crank pulley manually. Both directions if possible. You could have a broken tooth and it has jumped and lodged. By rotating you may find a spot that has worn teeth and might release the shaft. I don't remember if your engine has a removable flywheel inspection cover as more modern engines have. Careful prying ,don't break a housing with a crowbar, etc.
chuck
chuck
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Sounds like you have a shaft hung up on the flywheel. Tranny in netural, spark plugs removed. Try to rotate engine with the crank pulley manually. Both directions if possible. You could have a broken tooth and it has jumped and lodged. By rotating you may find a spot that has worn teeth and might release the shaft. I don't remember if your engine has a removable flywheel inspection cover as more modern engines have. Careful prying ,don't break a housing with a crowbar, etc.
chuck
chuck
Alright. I'm going to give that a try. I'll let everyone know tonight how it turned out. Thank you. Everyone.
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Okay, I finally got it! The flywheel looks okay. I can see a little wear but nothing too bad. I have a new starter comming in on Friday. Is there anything that I need to inspect right now before I get the new one back in? I keep reading about the bracket for the starter (and of course I, like many flat fatty owners, do not have) so I will get one on order asap.
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 907
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From: Kansas City, Mo
Starter
If it was me I would try to determine the cause for the problem. I 've found over the years some starters require shims to determine the depth of the shaft gear extension. When starter mount holes become elongated the shaft becomes off center and locks up. On the new starter, engage with voltage and measure the gear on the starter shaft then measure starter engine mount to the flywheel to see if the shaft gear and the flywheel gear teeth line up. Sometimes with so many manifactures and car models the starter is made for more than one type vehicle the gears don't line up very well. I hope I'm clear enough. Look at the entire flywheel to see if it is out of round or has a broken tooth. Have a great day,chuck
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If it was me I would try to determine the cause for the problem. I 've found over the years some starters require shims to determine the depth of the shaft gear extension. When starter mount holes become elongated the shaft becomes off center and locks up. On the new starter, engage with voltage and measure the gear on the starter shaft then measure starter engine mount to the flywheel to see if the shaft gear and the flywheel gear teeth line up. Sometimes with so many manifactures and car models the starter is made for more than one type vehicle the gears don't line up very well. I hope I'm clear enough. Look at the entire flywheel to see if it is out of round or has a broken tooth. Have a great day,chuck
I took the starter to NAPA and they checked it for me. They said the starter was bad so I figured that was the problem. I didn't even think or know that these old trucks could/might require shims. I'll definitely check that when the new starter gets here. I ordered the starter from MACS Antique Auto parts. I hope that's a good thing.
Anyway. Yeah, I understand what you were saying. Thanks. I'll check that out out next week. Goin to a Ford car show in Winnipeg this weekend.
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