2 starters in 3 months???? WTF

[410Fortune]

SEE??? hahaha 5 volts is not enough to juice the starter.
I will ask again, do you have an aftermarket alarm or factory alarm?

Next step is to apply 12v to the signal feed at the solenoid and see if it starts (it will)
The problem is likely in the steering column wiring/key switch.

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

SEE??? hahaha 5 volts is not enough to juice the starter.
I will ask again, do you have an aftermarket alarm or factory alarm?

Next step is to apply 12v to the signal feed at the solenoid and see if it starts (it will)
The problem is likely in the steering column wiring/key switch.

Dont have an alarm, have an aftermarket radio wrigged directly to the battery though. I'll try applying 12v to the solenoid this afternoon when i get home. Should i just run a cable directly from the + battery or use another source?

 

[410Fortune]

that will work fine but MAKE SURE ITS IN PARK or N and the brake is on. Also make sure the key is in the on position (so it will start)
If you are only getting 5 volts at the relay you found your problem, now you just have to find the source.
You will find the red/blue wire in the steering column, you can check the voltage in there, often there is a relay in the circuit (for an alarm or whatever) it may need to be replaced.
You will also see just how easy it really is to hot wire a car

Check the connectors in the column, I have seen Ford connectors melt, or wires come loose , causing a situation like yours.

 

[410Fortune]

oh and didnt you say you can turn the key switch without the key in it? THat means its broken, pretty common, but if the keyswitch is broken in that matter you may find a bad / dirty connection in there

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

oh and didnt you say you can turn the key switch without the key in it? THat means its broken, pretty common, but if the keyswitch is broken in that matter you may find a bad / dirty connection in there

Yea i can turn the switch without the cylinder moving as well. I'll replace them tonight. Might as well do the ign switch as well. Only $25 bucks for both.

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

well i replaced the lock cylinder and ign. switch (latter being a PITA job!) and i still have the same prob. I ran 12v via jumper to the solenoid feed and got only the normal click from it. I dont hear anything coming from the starter or relay. I redid the voltage check to the solenoid feed wire after letting the car sittin ON for 2 mins and it cranked at 12v so i dont think ignition was ever an issue (needed to be replaced anyway though). Its gotta be either the starter or the starter relay. Now is there a way to tell which is the culprit while the starter is attached. I began removing it but lost my 13mm bit .

Lastly, do either advance auto parts or Pep boys do free starter testing? I figure i might as well bring it to them to test if available.

 

[410Fortune]

I believe they will test it.
While you have it out look at the flywheel.

Test the battery and alternator as well.

You say you have replaced the wiring to the starter correct? Could it be getting melted?
What about the ground cable and + cable from the battery?

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

I've replaced + and - and all wiring to the starter. Both battery and alt have been tested good. First thing tomorrow i'm gonna go to advance and get the starter tested. Will post results.

 

[410Fortune]

Right but what about the ground wire from the battery to the frame and body?

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

well it turns out it was the starter after all. I swapped a new relay on and it still didnt work, swapped a starter in and its running. Now i just hope that the last starter i had it was faulty. I have no experience in dealing with a flywheel replacement.

 

[410Fortune]

is this the 4th starter you have instlled in the last few months?

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

Second in the last 3 months. The truck is running fine now. Just made a successful 500 mile trip to pa in back in one day. Had a question regarding that but i put it in another post.

 

[97BlackX5.0]

u said you bought the starter with the solenoid right on it.... does this mean you took out the one under the hood.... if thats so maybethe voltage from your ignition switch isnt enough to engage the new solenoid....could be different voltage requirements....just an idea.....

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

The starter mounted relay came with the starter. I tested both fender solenoids and they were good. Every electrical component was either checked or replaced. I have no doubt at this point it was the starter. Now i'm trying to figure out what caused the starter to die so fast.

 

[coled43]

Glad to hear that the problem is fixed. Do you know if either the old or new starters were rebuilt or new?

 

[Sonicxtacy02]

Old one was a rebuild, the one on there now is new.