Ok, so I have an 89 F150 with the 4.9 and a 4 speed. I recently got it up and running. I had been starting it by bypassing the starter solenoid by jumping the two big bolts on it with a screwdriver (plans to change it that day). Well, I pulled it up to the house and shut it down. I go to start it back up with my trusty screwdriver and I get nothing, it just sparks a lot more than it had before.

SO.....is it a possibility that the solenoid could be the culprit, or could I have fried the starter by jumping it like that with my screwdriver?


THANKS

 

I don't think you fried the starter because you bypassed the started solenoid, but it does sound like you have a defective starter.