2002 F150 Lariat SCREW 4x4

Got in the truck this afternoon and she wouldn't start. Only heard a click, from the start relay pulling in - no crank. I cycled through the gears, tried starting in neutral, wiggled wires - no help. Went through the starting sequence 30 times - nothing. Waited a few more minutes, tried the ignition again and she started and ran absolutely perfect.

This problem has occurred in the past but has always been intermittent. I researched it and read a post about tightening some bolts on the steering column. At the time the truck was left in a shopping center parking lot and after tightening the bolts - she still wouldn't start. Waited a few minutes and she started and ran fine (started without incident maybe 50+ times).

I'm at my wits end... I'm back driving the truck as my primary means of transportation and need it to be reliable. Does anyone have any ideas at all?

If you need more information, please let me know

 

If you're hearing a click, then the solenoid on the firewall is getting power, so it's not the steering column thing.

It could be dirty battery terminals, weak battery, bad starter solenoid, or even a bad starter. I'd replace the solenoid since it's cheap and easy and while you're at the parts store, have them check the battery.

 

Same thing happened to myTruck 2 days ago I gave it a jump tight the cable that was loose...but was my weak battery

 

If the firewall solenoid pulls in everytime, it's not the start circuit to that point.
The starter brushes wear short and begin to hang up in their holders.
You might be able to tell this if you get under and feel the starter for it's solenoid operating to close the circuit to the motor and throw our the starter gear. The starter contacts could be burn as well.
Check the cables tightness and for a broken small lead.
Replace the firewall solenoid for the low cost as well because it's heavy contacts burn over time from the very high currents causing arcing at time of release.
Been here already.
Good luck.

 

Mine did the same thing Saturday, had my kid give me a jump and it fired right up. Only got a single click from the relay. Got it home and checked the battery with my crappy meter and it showed just under 12 volts. Put it on the 2a charge and it was fine.

Then today, same thing, one click and no start. Yanked the battery and had it tested and it was fine. Priced the starter and the relay, could have bought 18 relays for the price of 1 starter............went with the relay and all is good.

I don't know why the relay went bad, it's only a 13year old part with 291,000 miles on it. I guess maybe I just had a bad one from the factory!

 

Thank you all for your responses. I'll start cheap - checking all battery and starter connections - and work through the ideas you all forwarded. Drove the truck all day today with several stops and startups - not one issue...

Thanks again!

 

On my 98 and on this 01 both had the same problem ended up being a broken cable on the starter .. Different years different motor same problem who would have thought..

 

Well I guess I spoke too soon on my fix. Had a no start issue after changing the relay.....So I forked over the cash for a starter and again thought I had it whipped, no such luck.

Going to start more diagnosis. I'm thinking bad switch.

Sorry about the thread jack, just thought my failures might help someone else.

To the OP, check the relay and start switch and wires before replacing the starter and you might save yourself a pile of money. Good luck.

 

Shoulda pulled the starter and taken it in with you to the parts store and had it tested.

 

Awww George, that hurts. But you're right. I figured after 291,000 miles and 12 years it was time to stick a fork in it.

Weird part is, new relay and new starter, battery tested good, plus cables look great....but still have the one click glich, sometimes. what do you think?

 

Time to physically disconnect and clean all connections. The cables may look great at a glance, but they can be internally corroding.