Trouble starting
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO
Trouble starting
1988 F150 4wd with 302 motor.
Difficulty starting the truck. When I turn the ignition key, it cranks the starter slowly or I just hear a click and the starter does not turn.
1. It's not the battery. I had it tested at the battery place and they said it's fine. Plus I tried a new battery that's fully charged - same problem.
2. Not the alternator. Same battery place tested the alternator and said it's fine.
3. I don't believe it's the starter motor. I hooked up the positive battery post directly to the power from the starter, and it turns just fine.
What's the next thing I need to look at?
- 80skeys
Difficulty starting the truck. When I turn the ignition key, it cranks the starter slowly or I just hear a click and the starter does not turn.
1. It's not the battery. I had it tested at the battery place and they said it's fine. Plus I tried a new battery that's fully charged - same problem.
2. Not the alternator. Same battery place tested the alternator and said it's fine.
3. I don't believe it's the starter motor. I hooked up the positive battery post directly to the power from the starter, and it turns just fine.
What's the next thing I need to look at?
- 80skeys
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO
I'll go ahead and clean the battery posts and connections going to the relay.
Before I replace the starter, I want to make sure it's not something else. Is there no chance it's the relay?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Yes sorry that is what I meant it should be mounted just by the battery. I would start their I know that was the problem with my truck and then a few months later I had to get a new starter. I just got one from the junk yard
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Grand Junction, CO
I cleaned the battery posts, the connections at the relay, and the connection at the starter. No improvement.
I noticed that when I turn the ignition key, sometimes the relay "clicks" and sometimes it doesn't. I'm thinking the problem is either the relay or the ignition. Sound reasonable?
I noticed that when I turn the ignition key, sometimes the relay "clicks" and sometimes it doesn't. I'm thinking the problem is either the relay or the ignition. Sound reasonable?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 214
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The clicking may not be the relay. Do you hear a clicking noise when you sit in the cab and turn the key to on. Always start with the cheapest things first. If you can get a relay from a junk yard and try that. Search the thread as much as you can to try and figure out all possibilities.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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When the relay is clicking is the truck turning over. Also check that your battery cables are in good condition meaning were the battery cable joins to the connector that attaches to the battery post. On older trucks they can get pretty brittle and look okay.
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