this is a problem that started a couple of weeks ago and has been reoccuring more often lately. i will try to start my car but nothing happens except for a clicking sound. i am able to start it if i move the car while in gear and then try to start it with the key. it feels like the starter pinion might be getting jammed and by advancing the starter it gets unjammed and i am able to start it. it has been getting worse and worse of a problem lately though. i need some help as to what it could be, like what i already suggested or maybe just a bad solenoid or something. thanks!

The first thing I would do is have the battery and starter tested. It sounds like you have a starter that is going bad.

im sure the battery is good because when the starter does work i pulls very strongly. sometimes after not working one night i will wake up in the morning and it will start up fine. i think maybe the starter solenoid may be the culprit in this case.

if you hear a clicking sound then it's probably not the solenoid. btw, i think you have 2, one on the fender and one on the starter. i'd check the one on the starter and the starter itself.

i got my starter replaced last february when i charged a small pond. i took it off today and took it to napa who replaced it for free without any problems and i put the new one back in the car, all in only 2 hours. it seems to work fine now, but since its always been an intermittent problem, ill have to wait a few days to find out.

nope, it pulled this crap on me again this morning.

next time it happens, see if you can jumper the starter solenoid on the fender. At least I think you have one on the fender; I dunno where yours is on the early model. Anyway, jumper the 2 large posts on that solenoid with a tool with an insulated handle. If the truck starts up then it's most likely that solenoid or something between it and the key. Your problem may lie in the ignition switch or your alarm (if you have one).

I had the starter relay (what Alec is talking about) go out on my Ford Ranger. It made a rapid series of clicking noises as I tried to start. I think that the relay tries to close the contacts but can't.

You could test next time by having a helper turn the key while you listen for where the noise is coming from.

Simplest cause for your problem.. Bad battery cables. They are notorious for rotting on the inside, especially on the early model Ex's. If you haven't replaced the cables, try it. With the Ex, it's best to KISS, cause it usually is the simple cheap stuff that causes the problem.