I have a 93, 2wd, 6 cyl, 4.9L F-150. THis morning went out to warm it up for the wife to drive and it didn't start. I have been working on it all day and still no go, here is where I am at.

When I turn the key I get 1 click, that is it.

1) purchased a new starter motor, (should have had the old one tested before I did this, cause the problem is still there..)

2) Had the new starter motor tested, spins like a champ, then reinstalled it
3) Tried to start it with a jump start as well
4) Cleaned the battery terminals off with a wire brush
5) Tested the side mounted starter relay with by shorting it and got the same click as when I use the key to start it.
6) Went to ace hardware and purchase a 2 gauge wire and ran it straight from the battery to the starter motor, -- still getting the one click
7) Took the starter off again and carefully used a big screw drive to turn the flywheel about 1/4 turn.
8) Took off tensioner pulley and gave the crank pulley about 1/8-1/4 turn by hand.

All attempts to start it result in 1 click.

Man... what else to try!!! i am totally out of options. I have an electrical meter but need to get a 9v for it. Any suggestions? The battery is on the charger now and saying about 70%.. What a bummer!!!

 

problems like this are hard to diagnose by reading some info and there is a lot more of info needed...but it sounds to me like there is deff a problem in the electrical system that runs the starter....my guess would be either in the fender mounted solenoid or the starter mounted one....before you start buying more parts and going through all the work of tearing stuff apart i would look into that.....maybe start by making sure the very little wire on the fender mounted solenoid is getting power when you turn the key all the way to the start position....hope this helped

 

Since you are getting power to the solinoid, as evident by the one click, and you are pretty sure you have good connections at the battery, and you have a good line going to the starter, if the connection at the starter is good, the only thing left is the ground. Check the engine to frame ground, you need good clean metal to metal connections. Also check the battery to frame/ body ground.
Often when you have a bad connection of either the power or the ground, the headlights will be bright until you hit the key and get one click, then they will dim or go out.
When I changed my starter, the warranty demanded that I also change the fender solinoid. I followed the instructions.
Good luck Frank

 

Take a close look at the small wire that attaches to the top part of the starter (the starter mounted solenoid). If thats has corroded, esp corroded open like mine did, 1 click is all you will get. Reapir the wire and all will be good.

 

I'm guessing starter solenoid?

 

Well i finally figured it out... I replaced the ground battery terminal. This still didn't work, but was needed anyway cause the wires were all nice and green.

I ended up replacing the starter relay, which is mounted on the side fender of the engine compartment. This did the trick.

Then I tried taking out the new wire I had installed that ran straight from the (+) battery to the starter, and used the one that was original with the truck. It didn't crank, I just got the click again even with the new parts. Then I felt the wire and it was pretty hot. So I clipped it and installed the new wire and she fires up nicely now.

I believe I could have saved a lot of time and money had I used an electrical meter. I was to aggressive and threw parts, time, and money at it.

These forums are for do it your selfers which means most people are capable of using meters. I own one and am very bad at using it. I learned my lesson, others that read this thread in the future GET AND USE an ELECTRICAL METER. It will save time and money for sure.

Thank you again to everone for all the input. at least the entire starter system in the 16 yr old truck is brand new...