So I have a 1997 f150 5.4l with 130k that I was given after it sat for almost 3 years. Immediately i did the obvious tune up and fluid changes. It also needed a few things like brakes and lines, new exhaust manifolds, and a new pcv system. So after i did all of this the truck ran great for a few months then it randomly wouldn't start. I got it home ripped the starter out and had it tested, turned out the starter was shot so i put a new one on. Now heres my problem the starter is on however the truck wont start i can here the starter spin the truck just wont turn over Any ideas what this could be its driving me crazy!!

 

It may be spinning but not engaging on the flywheel. If its just a parts store starter it may just be bad.

 

hmm i was thinking that but wasnt sure how likely that would be

 

If it was a re-man starter it would be possible. Not likely, but when you remove the starter just be sure that the teeth on the ring gear are good and you didn't just happen to be on an area with no teeth...just a thought.

 

Might want to take it back to where you bought it and find out if it is bad?????

Or take it to autozone or any place like that and have them test it.

 

I bought it online...really kicking myself for that but I'll give it a shot and take it off and see if something's not right thanks for the help! I'll post back up after I take the starter off

 

Check the firewall relay all the connections and the flywheel for damage.

 

You should be able to bench test it by using your battery and a set of jumper cables..

Simply put the NEG on the case and hit the POS on the + post and if it spins, the starter is working..

If that's what you hear when it's installed, it's not engaging the gear for some reason..

Good luck!

Mitch

 

so i pulled off the starter and bench tested it the starter works fine i also have a brand new relay on the firewall so that cant be it. the fly wheel and gear on the starter both look perfectly fine but when i put the starter back on and gave it a shot it sounds like the starter is trying to spin but is being held up.. Is there something that could have locked up the flywheel?

 

Sure there is. Hydrolock damaged rotating assembly.. Junk motor! put a socket on the big damper pully bolt. Turn it counter clockwise should be a little tight but it should move fairly easy. If it dont you have a major engine issue. DONT FORCE it might be hydro locked so the first thing would be remove the plugs then try turning it.. If it still dont turn start looking for a nice used motor..

 

thats sorta what i was thinking or a failed oil pump and it seized the motor i just thought its weird that the starter would go bad at the exact same time

 

the starter may not be bad. Try rotating it and see what hapens.

 

Its a brand new starter I know it's good...the old one was dead completely it wouldn't do anything even just bench testing it

 

Clould have fried it with a siezed motor. Try turning the engine buy hand. Use the big cranshaft center bolt.. turn the engine counter clock wise. See if it moves..

 

The early modular 4.6 and possibly 5.4 engines had a poor design on the primary battery to starter cable (large red cable). They would corrode internally from the starter end up about 2-3 inchs under the red cable coating. It is almost undetectable but will limit the juice going to the starter and cause no starts. Mine had it and I replaced the cable. In fact if you go to a parts store have the truck build date handy as there is a redesigned cable that was used on these trucks during production after a certain month.