No Crank, Did I do something wrong. 2005 EB 4.6L

[WaterBrat]

Yesterday I replaced an exhaust donut, did oil change, and trans filter/fluid change. Today I drove to town and after my first stop, I now have an intermittent no crank. I have 12.5 battery volts. 50 amp fuse is good. swapped relays with blower motor. 12.3 volts at primary starter cable. when I try to start the only thing I hear is some mechanical sound at throttle body. How to test relay? Where and how to test/jumper neutral safety switch? Can I diagnose if PCM issue using Forscan? Moving back to Tx in a month so I need to be ready for 2300 mile road trip pulling my cargo trailer. Also have ocassional issue that seems like my fuel rail pressure is bleeding. I have been starting by priming the fuel pump for 3-5 seconds before cranking. It has been working.

 

[rocco123]

Smack the starter when it won't crank.

 

[WaterBrat]

the dear wife reminded me I had an old starter in the bodega. With the problems I had a few years ago finding a replacement, I had the original one repaired. By tomorrow I will have ruled the starter as bad or ruled that out as the problem.

 

[2Trux]

Try starting in neutral when it won't crank. I have an intermittent problem with mine not cranking in park.