Hello all, I have a 1997 Ford F-150(if that isn't obvious) 4.2L V-6. It's run great for about a month(that's when I got it from my Uncle) until just the past few days. Sometimes when I go to start the truck it doesn't start or anything, it just makes a clicking noise, I got stuck out about 6 miles from home the other day because of this, but my dads friend told me to jump the starter with a screwdriver, and I did and it started up. It didn't start again tonight, made the same clicking noise, except when I went to jump the starter it didn't start up at all. Batteries not dead, we've ruled that out. My dad thinks that the starter might be bad on it. Anyone on here that can help?

 

To add to my first post, I went out to see if it worked today, and I got it to start twice, and then the "click"

 

My guess would be to load test the battery first. Most chain parts stores will do that for you.
Check the selenoid second
The starter third.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!!!! I think I might just take the whole starter off, bring it to Autozone to make sure it's not shot(my uncle told me they check them there). I don't know if this matters, but my Check Engine light is on.

 

Take the truck to Autozone and get the OBD2 codes read out.

 

Doesn't that cost like $50 there? My dad's friend will do it for free.

 

Autozone reads them free, but if your dad's friend has a scanner and will come to you, that would be easier.

 

Me and my dad towed it to the shop right down the street from me to have the new starter put in. Thanks for the help!