Can't find starter (so I can hit it with hammer)
 

'99 Ford F-150
V8 4.6

Back in June, my truck wouldn't start and my friend told me it was my starter. I called AAA to have the truck towed but lo & behold, the driver banged my starter with a rubber mallet as I started the truck and it cranked right up. Fast forward six months later and I find myself in the same situation. I turn the key and I hear one click from somewhere beneath the hood.

I've done my research and it's my understanding that the starter is on the underside of the truck near the passenger front tire but for the life of me, I can't find it. Can anyone direct me to a diagram or picture? I've scoured the net in search of one but to no avail.

Thanks.

Crawl under, look up, - passenger side were the engine meets the transmission.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...943-213169.jpg

Here's another -

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...939-221137.jpg

Here's a couple on the bench lol -

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...940-182980.jpg

sometimes if you try the key a couple times it will work. But best to get a new one soon. The bolt on the top is a pain in the ass to get to you need secret Mechanic hands

Your not worried about any corrosion are you.. :D


I still argue to this day that re-installing the starter was the worst part of my swap. What a pain.

Starter wasn't to bad on my swap- but I will argue about the PS pump. I swapped mine out to a 6 rib and getting it back in there required some mad skill, and i think about 45 minutes lol

If your starter is giving you trouble, wiggle the connections and it should work for you. I did this for a week until I could afford a new starter.

Corrosion? Oh lol. Nah - My first starter, - that was blood man. ;)

carquest will usually give you some money back if you bring them back your old one.......maybe like 10-15$ or something i forget

That's what happens when you "freak the nasty"

My starter cost me some knuckle skin, dislocated thumb, broken wobbly, 2 hours of my life I'll never get back and counseling. . It was near the finish of my swap, I was pretty tired and didn't have much in me anymore. That thing gave me hell. I had nightmares for a week. If it ever fails, I might just sell the truck. J/K


Core charge


Make sure you disconnect your battery. When I noticed a bolt was lose on the solenoid, I decided it was ok to tighten it without disconnecting the battery (did'nt want to lose the settings on my head unit just for a quarter turn on a bolt) Well, I got a nice early fourth of July when the wrench touched the frame.

Hey guys can you get a harness for the starter? I really should buy a new one for my truck, but couldn't find any info on a cable/harness from battery to starter.

Thanks!!! :beers:

If it were me I would make my own and upgrade the wire :thumbsup:
I'm sure they make a replacement, someone may chime in but I say a local wrecking yard or even craigslist for a parted out truck would be an easy and cheap snag.

Yeah, I've been at it for over a week. I'm in Michigan so I can only do so much before going inside to get warm.

With that being said, Ford has to be kidding me with that top bolt. Just can't get to it no matter how hard I try. Hell, by the time I get it off, I'll have found a new job and will be able to hire a mechanic at this point.

Might help give you some room to remove the tire and inner splash guard.. I dunno. Can't remember how I got at it. I just know it was a pain.

Do the top bolt first. Its even harder if you try to get it last because you then have to figure out how to hold the starter up while getting at the awkward bolt.

To get it off take a 13mm socket and get it onto the bolt by feeling with your hand. Once its on take a 6 inch extension and put it on the socket. Then finally that should allow you to place a ratchet on the extension as it should be just past the end of the starter.

I've done this 3 times now... it gets easier once you figure out this system but its still not fun lol

Good Luck,

- Erik