Hi all. New to posting here, please forgive me if this issue isn't in the correct forum. I've got a 98 F-150 Supercab 4x4 (~65K miles). Everything has been running great, until yesterday. I was in and out of the vehicle 5 or 6 times without a problem. About 20 minutes after returning home, I went outside to move the truck. When I tried to start it, all I got was a single click.

Tried a handful of times and the same result, click. Tried shifting it to neutral and after a few more attempts, it started. Let it run for a minute or two and shut it off. Tried to start it, and again, click. After a few more attempts it finally started again (in neutral). Not sure if it was coincidence that both times it started when in neutral (after shifting through the gears)?

I'm not the most mechanically inclined guy around, so I wanted some expert opions on whether or not it appears to be the starter on it's way out, or something else? Thanks in advance.

 

You're supposed to be able to start an automatic tranny equipped vehicle with the shifter in two positions. Park and Neutral. There's a switch that controls that. If it starts in Neutral, but not in Park, I'd say it's the switch.

Thing is, I don't think you should even hear a click if it's the switch.

Usually, when you just hear a click, it means the starter isn't getting enough juice. Most times, it's the battery that needs replacement. A hot engine is harder to start and batteries are more prone to damage when the weather is hot. How old is your battery?

I'm thinking you should check the obvious first. Check your battery. It might be dying. Next check the battery cables. They might be corroded and need replacement. Next, check the connections. Might be loose or corroded. Finally, check the starter, but my bet is on the battery or the cables.

You see, if it was the starter and a contact on the armature was bad, the starter wouldn't turn at all. If it's something else, you'd probably hear the starter motor spinning without it engaging the flywheel. Since you don't mention anything about strange noises from the starter, sounds to me like the starter is just fine since it can actually start the truck at times.

Good luck on getting this problem fixed.

If it were my truck, I'd put a charger on the battery overnight and see if it's any better the next day. If it is, I'd want to find out if the battery is bad or if the alternator is bad and not keeping the battery charged. Both problems can be checked by most any auto shop that has the test equipment that can put a load on the battery to test it.

 

I agree with Dennis, esp. about the battery and cables. But... it is kind of rare, and you don't see it often - sometimes a starter will randomly turn or not turn. Sometimes a smart rap with a hammer will allow you get another start or two out of it. When the starter has failed that way you will always be able to hear the click of the starter relay pulling in. If the hammer rap works on the starter start planning on replacing the starter within the next day or two before it fails completely. But don't start hitting your starter unless you are hearing a good heathy click every time you turn the key and you know that you have a good healthy charge on the battery. If you are unsure of the battery charge use your headlights as an indicater. With the engine off, 20 seconds of good strong (unfading) headlight beam can be used to indicate a somewhat charged battery. Good Luck

 

Hi there! I had this exact same problem with my truck this weekend. I knew my battery was okay, so I thought maybe the solenoid was sticking, but that is the click you're hearing....so your solenoid is probably fine. I got underneath the truck and bingo......the positive cable-end at the starter had oxidized completely through. New cable end $2.79 labor (anyone who would charge more than a half hour for this should be shot. The reason sometimes it will start and other times not is that the juice can actually arc from the crappy cable to the starter.

I'm not 100% sure but I'd bet this is your prob

 

Like the rest have basically stated, if you hear a click then your starter is most likely fine and you may have a loose or corroded connection. First place I would start is removing and cleaning the battery post connections and then retightening them, a lot of times that will solve the problem.

If all the connections look good, tight and are clean and you still have the problem then your starter may be giving out. Before you replace the starter have the battery checked first to insure it is in good working order. If it is then you may need to replace the starter.

I use to have a 79 Chevy Camaro that had a built 400 small block. The starter would always give me problems on very warm days. Same as what you’re hearing “clicking”. The “clicking” noise is the starter solenoid contacts closing, but for one of two reason it is not turning over the starter motor.

If everything above has been checked, clean connections, tight etc, battery is in good working order then it will most likely be the starter. Two things it can be in the starter. One, the contacts in the starter solenoid are bad, possible pitted real bad or just gone, or second the starter is binding up, possible due to heat and excessive carbon build up inside of it. The carbon buildup would be from the brushes inside the starter motor. If it is binding the “rapping” the starter, hitting it will free it up so it will turn over. If you have to do this more then once a month your starter is on the way out and it is best to replace it now or you will find yourself stranded somewhere and the “rapping” or hitting it will no longer work.

 

Where exactly do you "rap" the starter ?