My '04FX4 has an issue with the starter being "dead", as in no noise or movement other than a mild/muted sounding click when it get down to about 0F and turning the ignition to start .Lights or heater fan don't dim or slow so the starter isn't attempting anything, like it's not there. I've had no issues once it gets warmer, it did this twice a month ago when it got real cold so I replaced the battery , cleaned cables as best I could where I could at the ends. It warmed up to 20-30F at that time but I thought it was fixed till this week it went below 0 again and it was dead. I put a hairdryer pointed up at the solenoid last night and in 10 minutes it fired right up, so the solenoid is sticking . I took the starter out(WTF were they thinking?) and then took the solenoid off the starter, it did have some grime on the plunger which I cleaned up with electrical cleaner and looked over the starter ,it seemed ok no tight spots ect.

I see there are some aftermarket solenoid for $25-$40 would like to try one but I know some of these thing are Chinese junk. Does anyone use them or just replace the $200 starter ? I really can't afford that right now with heating bills going up with this cold winter misery plus I have to replace all the ball joints, tierod ends(one is needed badly),upper arms and drivers 4wd actuator so another cost is too much .Rather than just replacing the one or 2 bad joints, I prefer do them all , get the front suspension fully refreshed and aligned once and be done with it , so it'll be $500'ish for parts alone.

I'm already having to ride my dual sport bikes(one is studded, another sipping cut tires for better grip) mostly for commuting , and it's below 0F currently!!! Truck has been unreliable this year.

Thanks