My 1998 Ford F150 8 cyl 4.6L engine won't crank. Pulled and checked battery, cleaned terminals, all good. There is enough current to turn on interior lights but trying to start causes a clicking noise, maybe in the relay box in engine compartment in front of driver, and then loss of power to interior lights. No cranking action at all. Suggestions? Thanks!

 

Won't crank as in turn the key and the starter makes no noise ?

The clicking noise you are hearing, is this the clicking noise that would be generally be associated with a low / dead battery with the clicking coming for the starter or is the clicking actually from the cab fuse panel ?

When you checked the battery, what was the voltage reading before charging, after charging and after trying to start ( all is good does not tell too much ) ?

Have you tried to start the truck in neutral ( seeing if the issue could be from the DTR - Digital Transmission Range Sensor ) ?

If you check the starter motor relay on the firewall, when you are in the start position, is there power on the all 3 terminals ?
- 1 will be power at all times, the small tan w/ red stripe wire, is this + VDC when you have the key in the start position ? Is the other large wire + VDC when you have the key in the start position ?

Is there an aftermarket remote start or alarm installed ?

Do you have the factory alarm system ? ( Perimeter alarm and starter interrupt ) ?

 

BAttery probably smoked, it could have enough volts doesnt mean enough amps or Ohmns. Take to autozone to get checked, if it its your starter.

 

Before anything else, read these captions:

 

Thanks. I think one of the battery terminal cables is dead. Battery is fine but no voltage across cables. I will see if I can replace these.