Ok, I'm having what seems to be a starter issue with my 97 F150 5.4L. I have searched the site for an answer but I'm still not sure where to begin. Until a couple of days ago, when I turned the key the truck would start fine. Occasionally, it would grind like the truck was already running. It did this once or twice every few months. Now it does it almost every time you turn the key. My dad is old school and told me to try to "jump" it from the solenoid on the firewall. I know I shouldn't have but did it anyway. The truck started right up. Does it sound like the starter or something worse (praying)? Thanks!

 

Hard to tell if jumpering the starter motor relay proved anything, as it is not consistent symptoms.

If the gears at the starter are not meshing, I would take a SWAG and say that when the solenoid on the starter has issues with the connections on it ( not always getting full voltage ) or the starter motor itself is having an issue, as it is not completely extending into the flywheel. ( supposition on my part just from the description ).

I would start by checking the cable connections to the starter, both in terms of the stud and ring terminals being clean, but also are the cables in the end of the ring terminal in good repair. Some times the cable cab start to rot out just inside the ring terminal, where they will look fine, but when the cable is bent at the ring terminal, they break off ( only 1 or 2 strands still holding the cable together ).

 

Got the truck in the shop this morning. The news couldn't have been worse or couldn't have come at a worse time. New battery cable, new starter, new flywheel at a cost of $1100.
SSCULLY, thanks for the advice, I only wish that had been the problem. Hopefully I can help someone else sometime.

 

Ouch !!!

sorry to hear it was so brutal, but at least your truck will be reliable now.
I know a seeing it in writing does not make it any easier to swallow, but there might be a time when it will be important.