Hello, a newbie to the board here. I've owned a 97 4x4, F150 Supercab, 4.6L since Nov 2000. It just turned 90k and has been a great all around vehicle. All is not roses however as an ongoing problem with intermittent non-starts is giving me heartburn.

Power seems ok, lights, radio, gauges work, no lights flickering, alarms sounding, etc. (I read the earlier posts) but when I turn the key I get one click from under the dash/hood and nothing else. Turn the key many times but the result is the same. Starter motor has been replaced twice in the last 8 months (Feb & Apr 03) because of this problem. It has happened three times since Apr. Twice I gave the starter a few taps with a hammer and it started right up. Last night it started on its own after several tries with the key. Relay, solenoid, ign switch?

My mechanic doesn't want to replace the starter again (warranty) without seeing the problem 1st hand and naturally when I took it in the last time it started right up and wouldn't fail. He had it for 2 or 3 days.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. thanks very much...

George

 

Hi George.

Did you happen to fix the problem? My 1997 is giving me the same problem. Just started happening.

Thanks!

Chris

 

Chris, it's not "fixed" yet. Took it to a different shop. They started out by cleaning all connections and covering with dialectric grease. That was about two weeks ago and since then it has only given me a problem once. Over the previous month or so it had been every couple of days. It also turns over stronger now.

There is a solenoid attached to the starter motor. Everytime it doesn't start I give it a few light taps with a hammer and it starts right up. Kinda of a pain when I have to do it at night in the cold. I believe it is replaceable so that will likely be the next step. I'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year!

George

 

Ok I haven’t messed with any starters on theses trucks, so when you state “solenoid attached to the starter motor” I take that as they are two separate pieces?

If so, when they replaced the starter have they ever replaced the solenoid? If not it sounds like your solenoid is binding up at times and by knocking it with a hammer you are simple “realigning” the solenoid so it will not bind up.

Does it bind up (not start) after you have ran the motor, in other words the engine is still warm? Or does it do it regardless, when warm or when cold?

The solenoid does not take much current to close the contacts. Small winding inside to activate the solenoid. The solenoid “contacts” see a lot of current that goes to the starter windings, but the solenoid winding to close the contacts does not see much current at all.

If the solenoid windings are defective, not up to resistance specs etc then the heat from the engine could cause problems with the windings the activate the solenoid contacts and cause them to hang up enough that they don’t close and then no current to the starter.

In either case if every time after you tap the solenoid it works to start your truck I would highly recommend replacing that…

 

I'm told the solenoid is a separate piece so the next step is to replace it. Usually it won't start when it's cold and has been sitting although it has acted up when warm too.

 

My '97 lariat 4x4 had the exact same prob. Intermittantly it would decide not to start, just got the "click". After much research I found that Ford used a VERY generic cable terminal down on the starter / solenoid. If I would bang my starter a time or two, it would generally start- so I thought it was the starter / solenoid, after replacing a few I found out different. The terminal is just crimped on and is prone to getting dirt & grunge and intermittantly loses connection. Sometimes my dash lights & door locks would react when I tried to start it, but the truck wouldnt turn over until I banged around down there - or yanked the wiring harness running at the frame behind passenger side wheel. I fixed the problem by removing the factory crimped terminal and putting on a new one - and not only crimping it on, but soldering it also. Like I said , it's a common problem, and I hope that's all that is wrong with yours.

 

Thanks for the tip. It's only happenned once since the mechanic cleaned up all the terminals and connections two weeks ago. I'll mention this when I talk to him next week.

 

I also have experienced this problem, and I just bought the truck one month ago.

I just assumed it was the starter, and when I took the truck to the dealer to get it fixed under warranty, the problem disappeareed, of course.

It seems to be more frequent in really cold weather(happened twice within two hours during a snow storm), because it hasn't happened in a few weeks now and the weather has been less severe...

Would the humidity and cold be more likely to cause problems if it was just the cable terminal? Is this something that is easy to fix yourself?

Sometimes it is just easier to do some things myself rather than fight with the dealer.

Thanks,
Chandler

 

Chandler, I left mine with a shop for 3 days back in the fall and of course it started every time they tried it.

I think the recent cleaning the connections and coating them with dialectric grease has just about cured the problem. The mechanic checked Ford service bulletins but found nothing about intermittent starting. He had heard of GM starters being affected by moisture and weather but not Fords. Mine happens most any time but most often when it's cold.

George

 

I am currently going through the same problem with my 97 F-150 Lariat. Yesterday it would not start so I dosconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals and posts, and reconnected the battery. Started right up. Tonight I went to leave and all it would do is click rapidly. Went to Wally World and exchanged the battery and it did the same thing. I had my son try to start it while I listened and felt for the noise maker. Turned out to the starter relay, mounted on the right side of the firewall. Took the knockometer and tapped it a few times, and presto, it started. Gonna get a new relay tomorrow.

 

I consistently get a single click from under the center dash when the key is turned, never a multiple clicking like a weak battery or faulty relay. Early on I thought the battery may be getting weak. It was in the truck when I bought it 3 years and 25k miles ago but since the connections were cleaned up it starts stronger & quicker.

 

I only get one click also. Sounds like it comes from the center of the dash. The battery is brand new. I haven't knocked the starter or anything. It just decides to start - whether it be 5 or fifteen minutes - later. I had double parked on a Boston street and had to push the truck twice to let people move their cars. Not fun, but then it started right after.

At least I have somewhere to start looking now.

Chandler

 

I also had the problem, days after I bought my 97 F-150, i replaced the battery and still had the problem. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced the starter solenoid, haven't had a problem since, but every time I disconnect the battery I have idling problems and very low speeds and the dealer said it was the computer adjusting itself after disconnection. However, it took 3 day to disappear, any ideas?

 

You guys need to try this....it may help you out. Jump underneath your truck, and watch the connection of the positive (usually red or salt covered) wire on your starter while someone tries to start your truck. This test is especially effective at night, because even if your truck does start it will cue you to the problem.
I got the one click disease and tried this, and noticed a big arc of spark when trying to start it. With the key off, I wiggled this connection around and it started right up....enough to get me home. I had the starter wire replaced, and you would'nt believe how corroded it was (read not even one wire anymore).
Unfortunately I replaced it with the same one, and I think its already going caput again......the main problem seems to be the terminal/connection.
Hope this helps keep the greasy side down

 

Since the cleanup work to the connectors/wiring back in December it has only happened one time, the day after Christmas. We've had a nasty stretch of cold weather over the last 3 weeks but the truck has started every morning. It was a little slow on the -15 mornings but she started. No garage either, my half is filled with motorcycles. For now I'm letting it ride. When spring rolls around I'll have another look at the solenoid or relay. cheers!