Okay, so my 1999 F250 7.3 wouldnt start yesterday. I got the starter tested, they said it was bad so i replaced it. Still nothing. Truck wont turn over or anything. So i jumped the starter and it started, but my question is how do i find out what is the problem? I really dont have the money to take it to the auto shop... Thanks!

 

Battery fuse? Starter fuse?

 

Do you know where i could find those on the truck? Sorry for the dumb questions, i am trying to learn all this stuff.


Thanks

 

Have you checked your battery terminals? Mine did that a couple times. I checked and found the negative battery terminal was badly corroded. I used a good spray on terminal cleaner (acid neutralizer) and it worked great until yesterday. The terminal is just so corroded that it now won't stay tight. I now have a whole new OEM negative cable coming in the mail from RockAuto (FTE sponsor).

Oh, and whoever told you the starter was bad seems to have misled you.

 

see the owners manual??

online at http://www.motorcraftservice.com/

Sam

 

Battery terminals all look good. I went through the wiring to fallow it to the starter and nothing look corroded. As for the starter, it was tested and failed one test... Should i put it back on?

 

where did they test it? at the starter terminals?

you proved you have power and jumping the terminals makes it turn..

so the lead back to the switch is the one that needs to be traced..

Sam

 

Okay, i cant find anything in the manual about where the fuses are.. But it did have a toubleshooting page and said that if the engine makes a clicking sound but does not turn over (which is what it is doing) to check all terminals and the relay. Terminals are good, but where is the relay? Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Starter was tested at Murrays auto in my town. They put it on the machine and went over what it was doing with me.

 

is this a manual tranny?

starter control goes thru the clutch pedal..

from the diesel supplement manual, page 34
IF THE ENGINE WON’T CRANK
Turn on the headlights. If the lights are dim, do not go on at all or if
when the ignition is turned to START the lights become dim or go out,
the battery connections may be loose or corroded, or the battery may be discharged. If there is a clicking or stuttering sound coming from the
engine compartment when you turn the key to START, this may also
indicate a loose or corroded battery connection.
Check the battery connections at the battery posts, cable connection to
the engine grounding point and at the starter relay terminals. Also, make sure the relay bracket is securely fastened to its mounting surface. If the starter relay clicks, but the starter does not crank, check the connections at the starter terminal. If a discharged battery is suspected, have it checked and corrected.
² For vehicles with manual transmissions, the clutch pedal must be fully
depressed in order for the starter to operate.
² For vehicles with automatic transmissions, the gearshift lever must be
in Park or Neutral in order for the starter to operate.
² Try operating the starter switch several times. Should the switch be
corroded, this operation may clean the contacts or make the switch
temporarily operable until you can reach the dealer.
² If all electrical connections are tight and you need assistance to start,
see “Jump Starting Your Vehicle” in the Starting chapter.

Sam

 

It is an automatic. That was the trouble shooting page i was referring to. I just went through the battery and starter terminals again and cleaned them even though they were fine. Still nothing. I do not know where the starter relay is though, do you know where i could find that under the hood? Thanks

 

ford used to have the relay on the firewall due to heat issues..
I don't know if they do in the later year trucks..

the battery cable goes thru the relay if its separate.. otherwise its part of the starter itself..

what happens if you move the shift lever to neutral vs park?

the neutral safety switch prevents start in gear.. so that might be a culprit.

Sam

 

The starter relay is on the right hand passenger side) fender well.Try jumping it there

 

Automatics should start in either neutral or park, this is so make sure you can start the vehicle if it happens to die while driving.

 

Okay so i checked all the fuses under the dash and everything looks good. The starter relay is not corroded and is securely fastened to the fender wall. I can jump it no problem at the relay as well as on the starter solenoid under the truck. Now I just spoke to my mechanic friend and he said he has no idea because i have a remote start and that could be the problem. Any more suggestions guys?!?!