Bought my 2002 King Ranch in Oct 2001 - 19.5 yrs old now with 111,000 miles, 5.4L Was having charging issue recently & although I didn't get it tested, I replaced original alternator. Turns out it was bad battery. Should I just play it safe & replace the original starter/solenoid with a reman Motorcraft for $100 DIY? Was wondering what the typical life everyone is getting out of starter/solenoid?

 

Nope. If it ain't broke don't fix it. When you DO have to replace it, don't get a reman, get a new one.

 

Yep, like glc says, don't touch it if it ain't broke.

 

Thanks for the replies! Solenoid/starter has worked for 19 years... I go with it for the next 19!

 

The alternator and starter are still working fine on my 02 with 165k miles on it. Knock on wood! I bought an alternator rebuild kit several years ago thinking I would rebuild it as preventive maintenance but I haven't done it so far. Do they use brushes like they used to? I was thinking the brushes would have worn out by now.

 

They are actually called voltage regulator brushes. Yes, they still sell rebuild kits. Again, I'd leave it alone until you have problems.

 

I had my '97 F150 5.4L for 20 years and never replaced the starter/solenoid. I did replace a bad wire to the starter that visibly went bad, but no need to change the starter if it works fine. My advice would be to leave it alone.

 

My original starter gave out at 298k on my 2000 F150 but you never know WHERE you might be when it gives up the ghost, if you plan on keeping the truck nothing wrong with having an extra part that can save you a lot of hassle and inconvenience later on.

 

2004 5.4L I got about 135K out of mine.

If you just drive it around town then don't replace it but if you do venture farther, a failed starter will leave you stranded. Mine failed at a gas station 250 miles from home. Between the Uber, the repair and the UHaul I had to rent to get the Kayaks and Bicycles home and the trip back to pick the truck up when it was fixed was about $1,500.
They are easy to swap out in the driveway, not so easy in the middle of the night blocking the pumps at a busy gas station.

 

I had my starter go south in my '99 F150... but it was a 4.2l V6 with the 5 speed manual... I got daring and I pushed it, hopped in and popped the clutch and off I went.

Was happy I had the manual transmission.