Hey guys, I've got a 1995 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab short bed, with 5.0 V8 302 w' 90k, auto transmission, have changed out the following:
air filter, oil filter, oil(to Mobil1 Syn.), fuel filter, plugs(had to replace one of the plug wires as wrench bit one), distributor cap and rotor, did the Seafoam treatment in gas and power brake line.
Here's the problem. Have noticed after truck has sat for a while, like overnight or after work, I turn the key and nothing, no click, nothing, so turn it back, repeating it 3 or 4 times, then it will turn over. Do starters or alternators get "dead spots?" This does not happen on a warm engine, just after it's sat for several hours or overnight. Also, sometimes it'll turn right over, and sometimes 5, 6, 7, times of turning over before it starts.
Any ideas would be appreciated, and thanks in advance.

 

The following items could be bad:
A. Ignition switch, ignition switch plug, column linkage.
B. Neutral safety start switch (on side of transmission).
C. Fender-mounted starter relay.
D. Spade terminal at starter solenoid (smaller wire coming from fender-mounted starter relay).
E. Starter solenoid on starter.
F. Starter.
G. Battery cables (both ground and hot).
H. Poor connections and grounds.




Sequence of Operation

1. The ignition switch (11572) is turned to the START position.
2. A fender-mounted starter relay is energized, which provides voltage to the starter solenoid (11390). The starter solenoid is energized, creating a magnetic field in the coil.
3. The iron plunger core is drawn into the solenoid coil.
4. A lever connected to the starter drive (11350) engages the drive pinion gear to the flywheel ring gear (6384).
5. When the iron plunger core is all the way into the coil, its contact disc closes the circuit between the battery and the terminals of the starter motor (11001).
6. The current flows to the starter motor, and the drive pinion gear cranks the flywheel ring gear and the engine crankshaft.
7. As current flows to the starter motor, the solenoid pull-in coil is bypassed.
8. The hold-in coil keeps the drive pinion gear engaged with the flywheel ring gear.
9. The gear remains engaged until the ignition switch is released from the START position.

A starter drive protects the starter motor from excessive speeds during the brief period before the driver releases the ignition switch from the START position (as the engine starts).

 

If your not even getting a clicking sound i would say that it is in the ignition or starter relay circuit.

-Jon

 

Thanks Subford and Ford4ever, I am having outpatient surgery Wed. so will be out of commision for a few days, but will be having my ASE mechanic neighbor help me track this irritating problem down with your leads, and will let you know what we come up with. Thanks again!!

 

Hey Subford and Ford4ever, knock on wood, but I replaced the starter relay or starter solenoid as its also called. Thought I would start with the cheapest part and work up. But replacing that seems to have done the trick, SO FAR.
Thanks for your input. May need it again sometime.