I've got a 1989 Ford F-150. All was fine until the other day. When I try to start it, it makes a horrible clicking noise. I isolated the sound and replaced the remote starter selenoid, but it still makes the noise and will not start. Is it possible a new selenoid would come burnt out? Should I get another one, or could there be more to my problem, such as bad terminal conections/ground, bad wiring, bad starter (the starter doesn't seem to be turning at all in this process, but I wouldn't think it should if the selenoid is bad), I've even heard thick oil can contribute to problems - it's been 3000 miles since the last change. I've tried jumper cables and that hasn't helped.
Please let me know what you think will most likely solve my problem.
2006-11-07 08:01:09 · 6 answers · asked by davco 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
SOLVED!!!!
Thanks for all the input. I checked all grounds and cleaned them up, as well as battery terminals. I pulled the starter and had it tested - it was fine.
Thanks specialed for the idea to bypass the solenoid. I did that and noticed some sparking at the battery post. It turns out where the battery cable connects to the hold-down bracket had some corrosion. I cut the cable an inch shorter and cleaned it up and now I'm golden!
2006-11-07 10:22:24 · update #1
The first thing that you should check is the ground connection on the engine block from the battery. If this is bad,even jumper cables won't help. Make sure that it is clean and tight. If it checks out good,then test the battery condition.If a battery is severly sulfated,again even jumpers may not work. However if all is well with the battery and ground,then go get yourself a starter. Good Luck
2006-11-07 08:26:25 · answer #1 · answered by thomas t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well with out listening to it myself, it's hard to tell, but.... There is a way around the selenoid to se if it is the starter it self. this won't hurt you or your automobile eighter. Take the wire cable off at the selenoid, the side thats going to the starter and touch it to the other side of the selenoid( the side that goes to the pos. on the Batt.and make sure you have a good conection to the terminal) and if you have a hot Batt. and a good starter it will spin over.( your just bypassing the selenoid thats all) If you have a standard make sure you have it in nuteral, and the weels chocked. If the starter DOSE NOT spin over then IT IS the starter. If it does then you have a bad selenoid or posably a bad conection at some joint ( could possably even be the cables them selves) I hope his helps if not e me at specialedy05@yahoo Ed
2006-11-07 17:14:07 · answer #2 · answered by specialedy05 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ground wire between the frame and the engine block is a good start. The battery is grounded to the engine, but the solenoid is grounded to the frame, so if you don't have a good connection from the frame to the engine it will go crazy.
Check your battery voltage too. Low voltage can make the solenoid chatter.
2006-11-07 17:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The noise was the solinoid trying to turn over the starter. You need to change the starter.
2006-11-07 16:04:32 · answer #4 · answered by uthockey32 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a comment on the above answer...tapping on the starter is only a temporary fix, and you will eventually have to tap harder and more often...better to buy a new one than to start the tap dance.
2006-11-07 16:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
starter maybe lock up...try tapping the starter with a hammer.
2006-11-07 16:36:21 · answer #6 · answered by sleepydo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋