Starting problem
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Rush, NY
Starting problem
Here is what happened. After being parked for a couple of days and covered with snow I started my 97 F150 drove about 3 miles and parked it. When I came out it started right up and I drove 3 miles home. I parked it another day. The temperature was about 30. The next day I tried to start it but it wouldn't turn over. It doesn't even groan. The battery seems strong. I wonder if it is a solenoid if they still use them or a relay or some computer module?
Anybody got any ideas? Thanks Jim
Anybody got any ideas? Thanks Jim
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 3
From: Eastern TN
jimmy -
My 'Screw has a solenoid on the passenger-side firewall.
You didn't mention if anything else works when the key is on ??
Do the lights, gauges, etc. come on. Maybe the keyswitch assembly is the culprit ??
I have not tried it, but the solenoid looks like it could be triggered via the old screwdriver across the terminals trick.
Good luck and let us know what you find...
My 'Screw has a solenoid on the passenger-side firewall.
You didn't mention if anything else works when the key is on ??
Do the lights, gauges, etc. come on. Maybe the keyswitch assembly is the culprit ??
I have not tried it, but the solenoid looks like it could be triggered via the old screwdriver across the terminals trick.
Good luck and let us know what you find...
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Ypsi, MI USA
Jimmy,
There is a relay solenoid on the passenger side of the firewall. It takes a signal from the key and sends it to the solenoid that is mounted on the starter. The starter solenoid shoots the bendix out and passes the power (from a direct line from the battery) to the actual starter and the starter spins.
Last night I replaced the relay solenoid, but it tested ok. I then pulled the starter and found it was the starter (or the starter solenoid.) The starter would spin when it was jumped, but the bendix would not fly out.
Check if you are getting just a single click when you turn the key. If it's multiple clicks or if your lights dim when you turn the key, it's probably the battery. If it is one click, check the relay solenoid. Jump your battery to the signal (the small input that has the cap style connection.) If you hear it click, it's probably working. You can then go from the positive battery terminal to the signal wire for the starter solenoid. (Mine did click.) If it clicks, it's trying to work. Then take that positive from the battery and put it on the starter motor feed from the solenoid. It should spin the starter.
You can pull the starter. It's not too bad. 3 bolts, one hidden. Once it's off you can attach the neg jumper cable to the starter casing and the positive on the battery feed input. THen take another lead from the batttery and touch the solenoid signal. The bendix should pop out and the starter should spin.
I got neither of these, but I wouldn't have known it was the starter until I took it out of the truck.
Doug
There is a relay solenoid on the passenger side of the firewall. It takes a signal from the key and sends it to the solenoid that is mounted on the starter. The starter solenoid shoots the bendix out and passes the power (from a direct line from the battery) to the actual starter and the starter spins.
Last night I replaced the relay solenoid, but it tested ok. I then pulled the starter and found it was the starter (or the starter solenoid.) The starter would spin when it was jumped, but the bendix would not fly out.
Check if you are getting just a single click when you turn the key. If it's multiple clicks or if your lights dim when you turn the key, it's probably the battery. If it is one click, check the relay solenoid. Jump your battery to the signal (the small input that has the cap style connection.) If you hear it click, it's probably working. You can then go from the positive battery terminal to the signal wire for the starter solenoid. (Mine did click.) If it clicks, it's trying to work. Then take that positive from the battery and put it on the starter motor feed from the solenoid. It should spin the starter.
You can pull the starter. It's not too bad. 3 bolts, one hidden. Once it's off you can attach the neg jumper cable to the starter casing and the positive on the battery feed input. THen take another lead from the batttery and touch the solenoid signal. The bendix should pop out and the starter should spin.
I got neither of these, but I wouldn't have known it was the starter until I took it out of the truck.
Doug