Starter making noise

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 22, 2008 | 11:40 AM

JRC71

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: MA

Starter making noise

My 1999 f350SD 5.4l was having starting issues, when I turned the key it would click a couple times and then finally start. I replaced the starter solenoid relay and took off starter to check and cleaned all wiring. When I finished putting all back together the truck started but, it seems like the starter will not disengage. I re replaced the starter solenoid relay on the inner fender, had the starter bench tested, pulled off the red/white cable to rule out ignition switch and still nothing but noise. Any ideas?

Jul 22, 2008 | 02:49 PM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

Likes: 35

From: Austin, TX

What kind of noise is it? Is it a "chattering" noise or a grinding noise?

Jul 22, 2008 | 05:09 PM

Franklin2

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 57,005

Likes: 2,750

From: Virginia

I would put the old starter relay/solenoid on the fender back on, and see if the running-on problem goes away.

Jul 23, 2008 | 07:32 AM

JRC71

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: MA

The noise is a whining noise like the starter is still engaging, no clunking or grinding. Guy at auto part store told me to take large wire off of starter and have someone turn the key to start it and read voltage , then let go of the key like normal and see if there is still voltage going through wire and there was. This would mean the starter solenoid relay on fender was bad which would mean I have bought 2 bad ones, thats pretty rare.

Jul 23, 2008 | 09:02 AM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

Likes: 35

From: Austin, TX

It's possible that the starter is going bad, drawing too much current, and arc welding the relay plate in the solenoid keeping it closed even after you release the key.

In addition to the check you described in your previous post, you should take the small 'S' wire off the solenoid and read the voltage while you turn the key to start, and make sure that the voltage really goes away after you let off the key. This will eliminate the ignition switch as a possible culprit.

Jul 23, 2008 | 10:03 AM

JRC71

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: MA

Update and a thank you for helping

I put on original solenoid/relay back on and no change, original is a Motorcraft, first new one was from Advance AutoParts, and second new one was from NAPA. Don't know if the starter is arcing since I did put a new one in and that did the same , which would mean I have been getting a lot of bad new parts.
I'll try taking the wire off of the 'S' terminal and read voltage. I'll try that after the rain stops, thanks again to both of you.

Jul 28, 2008 | 09:21 AM

JRC71

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: MA

fmc400, did that test with the small wire on 's' terminal voltage was 12.45 and went to 0 after key was let go. I even went through all the grounds and redid them (clean them up, etc.). Should i replace all the wires that go to starter with new ones even though the truck is starting? Would that make a difference?