I just bought a used 2000 F150 4.6 V-8 with 52K miles back in January. So far so good, until this past week. About once a day, when I go to start the truck, usually after work and the engine is cold after sitting out all day, I get a horrible noise like when you accidentally try to start an engine that is already running. I of course immediately release the key and after minute try again and it starts with no problem. I thought that maybe the solenoid isn't going out far enough to engage the teeth on the fly wheel and is making the terrible noise. The problem isn't consistent enough to take the shop yet and it hasn't happened when the engine is warm. The weather has been colder in March and April here in Wyoming than anytime since since I bought the truck in January. Any suggestions, ideas, or similar problems?

Thanks, and God bless the troops and keep them safe.

 

Is it a bad grinding sound? I have that on my truck and the people on this site and some of my friends have decided it is probably my starter not disengaging fast enough. I have 42000 miles on my 98 4.2L and it started making that noise this past winter. However, it didn't happen when my truck was already warmed up after being driven. Now it doesn't make near as much noise at cold start up because the weather has gotten warmer. I'll probably replace the starter eventually and hope that solves the problem.

Oh, and welcome to the message board!

 

Phasmid
Ok, it's not the solenoid that's the problem. It's the starter bendix or properly called a starter drive. I'm not sure how to explain why it only happens in cold situations. It does sound like tha bendix is sticking out to long or is not aligning with the flywheel right anymore. Check the bolts and make sure they are tight, or even drop the starter and check it out and maybe even have it put on a test machine. That way you can see how much draw the starter is pulling and you may be able to actually watch and see if it is retracting right.

On second thought, does that truck have the OE battery? If so it may not be putting out the power it should when the temps drop. Temps drop, power goes down, and then it can't spin that starter over fast enough.

All just thoughts, I may be way off base.

 

Where can you get it tested? I hope you don't have to go to the stealership!
-Thanks

 

Nope, no stea;ership. I only direc peopel there as a last case thing. Any national parts chain should do it for free. Advance, Zone, Pep Boys , Napa, Murrays, etc.

 

Along with KY, I think the problem is the starter bendix.

In my experience (many years ago as an auto electrician) this is what you will probably find.
The starter bendix has a one way clutch so it will lock in one direction (when it engages the flywheel) and rotate freely in the other direction when the engine fires up.
The bendix also contains a short helical cut gear so the drive is "thrown" back out as the engine fires.
The bendix usualy contains a phosphor bronze bush and should spin freely on the armature shaft of the starter motor. Obviously, over the miles, this bush will wear by a small amount.
Now, what is happening is that the armature shaft has become dry over the years. You will aslo accumulate some dust etc on the shaft especially with a manual transmission.

The noise you are hearing is the bendix being flung back and rotating on the shaft. As it comes to a juddering halt, it makes a screeching sound.
It doesn't normally happen when the vehicle is warm because the play in the bush is taken up by thermal expansion. Even a tiny amount is enough to make the difference between silent operation and a horrible noise.

The real cure is to remove the starter, clean the shaft and lightly regrease it but you can get away with just giving it a squirt of WD40 or similar.

This should cure the noise - let us know how you get on.
Try this yourself first before going to a dealer and paying out money.
You should NOT need to replace the starter unless ther is obvious damage to it.

 

Thanks for all the responses. The level of knowledge and helpful attitudes of the members of this forum are impressive. I will pickup a Chilton's and get under the truck later this week, when it gets above freezing again. I will let you know what I find.

 

This is by no means just a Ford thing. My 1999 F150 4.6L V8 did the same thing, and my 2002 Jeep Liberty also does it too! Thus, my assumtion is that this Cold Start "starter" problem is not prejudice!

Later

 

Does it occur on some warm starts?

My best guess is you are missing some teeth on your flywheel.

 

A 2002 shouldn't be producing these problems yet. Unless you drive a lot of miles or do a lot of start-ups. What English adam was talking about is a wear factor and unless something is wrong I can't picture a 2002 of any model having that exact problem yet. If you have warranty left, I'd make the stealership fix it.