My 99 F250SD with a 5.4 liter had a problem about 3 weeks ago when it wouldn't turn over in my driveway. Initially thought it was the -35 wind chill. But even with a 300 amp booster on it, nothing, just a click. But after an hour it started and has started everytime since. So I pickup a new solenoid at AutoZone and throught in the truck knowing I keep tools in there to change it if I have a problem. Well of course tonight I walk out of work and it won't start. Battery has 13.8 volts ( battery is 1 year old Optima) so I then decide to change out the solenoid. OF course after removing the old one and bolting the new one in I find that old one had two large terminals and one small stud that a push on electrical connector
goes onto, but the new solenoid has an extra stud which has a minus sign next to it.

So not having a cable to put on it I leave it alone, so again, nothing but a clicking sound. Of course I left m service manual at home, so I figured I check with your guys, but I am thinking it is probably a starter. Unfortunatley the wife is 30 miles away at home and we had 9 inches of snow today and it is 14 degrees.

Any ideas short of towing the thing, what I am asking is have I missed something? I tried starting it in park and neutral just in case it was a neutral safety switch, but with that it shouldn't even click if my thinking is correct.

Open to all ideas.

 

ok it could be the starter but the voltage doesn't really mean much when it comes to turning an engine over it needs the amps so I'd go get your battery tested, also wind chill doesn't mean crap to anything but people and animals

 

very common issue in my area from what I have been told. and mine did it to me for months. intermittently but turned out to be the battery cable at the starter. it gets corroded and eventually starts causing issues with the connection. I eventually had to replace the whole power harness. I would get the battery checked like fordtech08 suggested. and if it tests fine I would then climb under and check the wire where it bolts up to the starter. if its badly corroded try to clean it and try again. if that doesn't do it I would pull the starter and have it tested.

 

Thanks guys I'll check those. I was successful in just sitting there for an hour turning the key and it finally turned over and started (it was the wife's idea) talk about making me happy. I was then able to drive home and park it. Tomorrow I'll get under it. Even though I get a 3 ton floor jack in back I neglected to put a jack stand in so I wouldn't get under it if I could.

TheGrooveking

 

It doesn't matter now but a hammer(and I'm sure I'll hear about this) in a pinch has worked for me. A few light taps on the starter has worked multiple times. But having said that I just had the same problem with my 5.4 in my E250, cable connection at the starter was the culprit.

 

that wasn't an idea she just didn't want to come pick you up in the snow

 

just to actually be helpful it sounds like a connection problem take a close look at the small wire on the starter there was a tsb awhile back on certain trucks about that wire you might have to cut some off and splice in a new piece

 

yep, when i replaced my starter, it came with a new lead and the tags/instructions it made VERY clear it needed to be used, for said issue.