Recently, my 2002 7.3 f350 has been acting a bit strange when starting. I'll turn the ignition and the truck will pause from anywhere to 2 seconds to not starting at all.

I checked the batteries, the starter connections, and the neutral safety switch. Is there something else I can test or check somehwere in the line between the ignition switch and the starter? I know some trucks have a start solinoid on the inside passenger fender however, this truck does not have one.

Any idea would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

 

Have you verified any power at the solenoid at the starter connections when trying to crank? If power is present at the main post and the small wire on the solenoid when the ignition is turned, you may have a bad solenoid. If there is no power to the small wire, the problem could lie with the ignition switch or DTR sensor (neutral safety switch) on the trans.

 

Starter Relay - fuse block position 307. Swap it with Delayed Accessory Relay - position 306. Worth a try.

 

Since mine's an '01, I didn't think about that possibilty. Good job, Robin. Reps, when I can.

This may help, as well.

2002 Starter Circuit.pdf

 

I had a similar problem and mine was the bendix in the starter itself. Disassembled and lightly greased and issue resolved. I might add it is a db.

 

Thanks Roland.

It could also be a faulty Ign Switch or chafed wires in the steering column.

Here's a diagram:

You're too fast for me Roland.

 

Thanks guys for the help.

I'll check your suggestions and let you know how it goes. I'll be out until next Tuesday so it may be awhile before I post the results. I'm assuming that, if it is the starter relay in position 307, I should be able to buy a new one at the store.

My starter is not a year old but I may go ahead and get another one and have the current one re-built as a back up.

My wife and I are down to one vehicle so her getting stranded and me not being able to get to her might be costly and a real pain in the ****.


Thanks again,

Whips

 

I would say starter.

 

I would say lift on the steering column when you start it. if it's anything like the old style, that will lenghten the rod and make contact in the ignition switch.

Never actually seen the ignition swtich for one of these, but on my '88 OBS, I had to readjust the ignition switch closer so that the rod would reach correctly.

Before i fixed it, I confused the ^*#$ out of a tire place. He came back in to get me because it wouldn't start. I went out there, lifted on the steering wheel, started right up. Wish i had a picture of that guy's face while he was scratching his head......

 

So I spent some time looking into different things.

1. Tested the bateries. They were at 12.75 with the truck off. 13.80 with the truck running.
2. Changed out the Starter Relay in fuse box slot 307 for $11.00.

3. Since none of that worked, I took out the less than one year old high torque starter I bought from a dealer on the internet and put in the Mitsubishi starter, of which the other one was supposed to be, that I bought from a dealer here locally for $177.00 (with tax) and that seems to have fixed the problem.

I didn't want to believe it was the recently acquired starter but, ultimately, I was forced to.

Thanks for all of the help. I am now a wiser truck owner.

Whips