Hey kids, newbie to the board...
My 98 F150 4.2L (115,000 miles) will not start, and gave no signs it was about to fail. Turned the key and got somewhat of a single 'cough' and nothing; subsequent tries would result in just a 'click'.
Here is a list of things I've tried along with comments & questions:

-new battery (checked/verified full power)
-starter motor checked (passed)
if the starter passed testing, was the solenoid (attached to the starter motor) checked along with it?
-alternator checked (passed putting out 13-14 amps)
-starter relay on firewall replaced (not needed; I learned from this board how to test by jumping. Also ran a jumper from the positive battery terminal to the relay to test)
-replaced fuel filter.
-checked every fuse in the truck (but I don't know how to test a 'fuse/relay')
-tried starting with the (automatic) transmission in neutral.

All of these things resulted in the same 'single cough', then nothing.
One strange note: after replacing the fuel filter, it actually turned over several times, then stopped. And didn't do that any other time.

Any connection I can see or have uncovered do not seem to have any corrosion, but I know corrosion could be an issue somewhere I can't see.

Any suggestions a novice mechanic can try next?
Replies or not, this board is one heck-of-a resource
Thanks everybody!

-BKFZ1

 

I pulled the ignition switch and tested. The pin moves as it should along with the 'spring loaded' start position of the pin. Continuity was tested in each position - all passed.
And the strange thing happened again: it turned over a few times, one cough, then nothing.

-BK