I have a 1995 F150 XtraCab with 5.8L / 351 engine.

Sometimes when I turn the ignition key nothing happens. This problem first ocuured about two years ago. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the starter motor. About a week later this problem happened again and I took the truck back to the dealer again. This time they replaced the starter relay. Now, after about two years this same exact problem is occuring again. Has anyone else experienced this problem? My worry is that replacing the starter relay to fix this problem maybe just a repair of the symptom and not the real problem.

I would appreciate all responses.

Tod

 

Here is an easy way you can determine if the problem is in the ignition side of the circuit (key), or the relay side of the circuit.

The next time it happens, make sure the truck is in park (or neutral if a stick) and use a conductor to jumper across the starter relay. I believe the relay is located just behind the battery on the type/year of your vehicle. If the relay picks up (starter turns and/or you hear the relay close) you know the problem is in the ignition (key) side of the circuit. If it doesn't, you know the problem is in the relay side of the circuit. If the relay picks up, but the starter doesn't turn, the problem is with the starter. Also check your connections to/from the battery to ensure power is available at the relay prior to doing this.

 

If you have an auto the problem may be in the tranny cut-off switch(I don't know the proper name of this unit). The kill switch that makes sure you have it in park or neutral before you start. Try moving to N and see if you are able to start.

Mike J.

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1997 F-250 HD (old style) Supercab 4x4 w/ 7.5l 460. Jacobs Electronics Ceramic 2000 plug wires, Side-gapped Autolite plugs,Synthetic Oil, K&N air filter, Tonneau cover and bedliner are my only upgrades so far.

 

Or if it is a manual could be the clutch switch. Same principle as previous post - won't let the truck turn over if the clutch isn't depressed. Could be an intermittent problem. It's around a $20 part...

 

Nope, has to be an automatic, couldn't get a 351W in a F-150w/manual. Just as you can't get a 5.4l with a 5-speed in a F-150 today.

I heard one time, that a guy was having a similar problem with an explorer, turned out, that the ignition switch was bad. You might check into that one.

 

Tod: Had the same problem on my 1993 and let me tell you it's a pain in the butt. I replaced the relay also, but found out it wasn't the problem. About 90% of the time the problem is the wire that runs from the relay on the fender to the starter which closes the circuit from the battery to the starter. It's only a 12 guage wire or so and the problem is usually on the starter end since the stock connector isn't that great.

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99 XLT 5.4L Waldoch Conversion Ext Cab 4x4 ORP - All the fixins

1993 XLT SC 4x4 XLT 351 AT

1977 1/2 F250 4x4 "Low Boy" 400-4spd

 

I would say the best way to diagnose this would be to use a multimeter. Check for resistance and continuity across the starter relay as well as down on the starter itself. Had the same thing happen on my '68 (relay) and '92 (starter) and my Dad's '85 (starter) and '74 Galaxie (relay). Unless you get out and check this, you're not doing much more than guessing. I've only seen one neutral safety switch (the proper name for your auto cut off) give any trouble, and it had shifted out of adjustment. Ford has specifications for proper resistance, etc., I have a '92 shop manual (factory, not Chilton's or Haynes' crap) and if I get around to it, I'll look it up and post it.

 

It has benn some years since I first reported this problem. What I have found is when I fully turn the key and the starter is not turning, I measure only 7 volts at the starter relay "S" terminal coming from the key switch. I don't think it is enough voltage to engage the relay. When the key is left in the operating position, I can take a pair of channel locks across the relay and the truck will start. From some of the reading I have been doing, it sounds like the contacts inside the starter switch maybe dirty. I heard that someone had sprayed WD40 in a starter switch to clean it. Any thoughts?

 

WOW - 12 years later, you still have the same truck, and it's still not fixed?

I wouldn't use WD-40, if anything I'd use a spray non-residue electrical/electronic parts cleaner.

 

For sure a thread from the dead. I didn't even know the site went back that far.

Anyway, where are you checking power? The relay on the fender, or the relay on the starter?

Adrianspeeder