has 12.26v to solinoid,
other terminal has power when trying to crank,

anythoughts??

i think i had this problem beford and it was the terminals.

a new starter is cheap enough

 

Did you check the starter to make sure the wires are not broken or loose?

 

yeah the starter is getting 12.26 V at the starter terminal, and getting juice from the crank trigger to the solenoid switch. the starter gives a single click. so it seems like its getting power. everything looks as it should. no obviously broken wires, little to no corrosion. my guess is the starter solenoid isnt fully engaging or the bendix drive is stuck or starter motor done. i tried the hammer trick as well, no luck. i ended up ording a a new starter for $55 shipped.

 

Did you check the solenoid?? As far as i know when it just clicks its not the starter.

Its the solenoid. Have you tried jumping the solenoid to see if starter turns over??

 

If it clicks it is the solenoid which sits on top of the starter. Starter needs to be removed to repair. Most of the time it's better to get another starter.

 

arnt the the solenoid and starter one piece now.

when you say jumping, you mean touch the 2 terminals of solonoid together with a screwdriver right????? i will give that a try and post back.

thanks for the post guys!!!!

i cant believe those starters are so cheap. 55 shipped. apparently it fits on the all 4.6, 5.4, 6.8, 6.2 and new 5.0. way to go FORD!!!

 

ok peeps. got the beast running. purrs like a kitten, roars like a lion.

it twas the starter. the $55 ebay special imo actually had a better design then the stocker. it had a cover over the Bendix drive and the ground strap from solenoid to starter was insulated. i think that was the problem, the ground strap fell apart on the old one.

now only time will tell.

 

Great to hear that you are back up and running.