I just got a 2003 F-150 and only have about 500 miles on it. It doesn't always want to start in the morning. I turn the key and get no crank from the engine, just a click. At first I thought it was a starter solonoid, but after taking it to the dealership, it may be more complicated than that. After several times of turning the key with only clicks, it will finally start. It's hard for me to be without a truck, so I hate to leave it at the dealership. They want to keep it until they can reproduce the problem. Any ideas on what it might be? Thanks.

 

My first guess would be a loose connection at the solenoid or starter. You'll need to get underneath and put a wrench on the connections to make sure their tight. Best to remove negative battery cable first. Then double check that both battery cables are tight at the post. A loose connection can give full voltage at very low current like solenoid engage but then if it starts drawing big amps like required to turn starter, voltage drop rises rapidly at the loose connection so you don't get enough juice to turn the motor. Also more amps required when cold so less likely to be a problem when engine is warm.

 

A quick and easy way to check to see if it's a loose connection is to turn on the headlights and try to start the truck. If the lights go off, it's probabaly a bad connection, if they stay on and the engine doesn't turn over, it must be something else. I heard about someone that had a problem like this, and found that by playing with the gearshift to make sure the safety switch was being closed, he was able to get the truck to start.