ok my problem is...
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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ok my problem is...
ok i have a 1980 f150 351c, when i try to start it the battery sparks and it dont do anything like click or turn over. i have changed the starter solinoid, gotten the battery tested at napa and they said its ok but they reccomend replacement, i have checked the the positive and negative cables, i have charged it just to make sure, i have removed all rust and corrosion from the cables, and one of my friends that is ase certified told me that either a post is bad on the battery or either someting is shorted. i am going to put on my spare starter tomorrow and play with it some more. but first i need to get some tips from the real pros! -dave
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
This is a great example of how this can be so hard to do on the Internet, everybody needs
to merely tyry and visualize from the written description. Not that there's anything wrong
with the description or anything, but seeing it in action would be lots easier.
Anyhow... you say the battery kicks out sparks, a certified friend (that sounds weird,
doesn't it?) says the problem could be the battery (if I'm understanding your post correctly)
and NAPA recommends replacing it even though it apparently tests OK. This, to me, points
at the battery as a likely suspect, I'd try replacing it with one from a different vehicle or
sumthin' before I'd go replacing starter motors.
to merely tyry and visualize from the written description. Not that there's anything wrong
with the description or anything, but seeing it in action would be lots easier.
Anyhow... you say the battery kicks out sparks, a certified friend (that sounds weird,
doesn't it?) says the problem could be the battery (if I'm understanding your post correctly)
and NAPA recommends replacing it even though it apparently tests OK. This, to me, points
at the battery as a likely suspect, I'd try replacing it with one from a different vehicle or
sumthin' before I'd go replacing starter motors.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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well i figured since i all ready have a spare starter i would replace it just to knock out the possibility of that being the problem. and how is it weird to have a friend who is an ase certified mechanic? wtf? and i dont have an extra battery, but now i am thinking about buying a cheap one at wally world then try it, if it works then return it and buy a better one if not then let them keep it
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
what *I* had said - how a "certified friend" sounds weird, huh?
If you don't have another battery available but you DO have another starter, it
might be worth trying it out, like you said.
FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 56,542
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From: In my own world
1. check that your battery cables are not hooked up backwards. 2. check that some butthead diddn't charge your battery backwards.3. check that your motor is not locked up, by turning over by hand with a big ratchet on the bolt in the damper. only time I have ever seen a battery spark when you hit the key is 1 of the things I mentioned above
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Senior User
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ok, and thanks. by the way if the battery was charged backwards what happens to it? because my brother was the one who discovered the problem and i guess he could have hooked it up backwards
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Senior User
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well i bought a new battery and i still have the same problem and i replaced the starter too, and i checked alot of wires and stuff ... so anymore suggestions?
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