starter solenoid.

[FadeToBlak121]

This question is actually for my f150, but its a pretty general question. When I go to start it, all it does is click and the clicking is coming from the solenoid, not the actual starter. does that usually mean the solenoid is bad or does it not matter where the clicking is coming from?

[FadeToBlak121]

Re: starter solenoid.

also i wanna add that my security light is blinking when this happens (searched and that was mentioned in a old thread) I cant figure out how to get it to stop blinking because i have auto locks but the auto locks dont work.

[kristen]

Re: starter solenoid.

take it out of the car and take it to autozone. they will test it for free.

[black98V6]

Re: starter solenoid.

if it's like the old school Ford starters where the solenoid just pull the cable off the starter side and use a jumper cable to bypass the solenoid. Use caution though because you can shock the **** outta yourself.

I think the security light will blink until the car starts, at least that's how it works on the wife's ford.
Also typically what you are talking about, click but no start means you don't have enough amps to turn over the engine, see if you can jump it, also check your cables for loose or corroded connections. My experience with fords are that when the starter goes it's usually the bendix which means you hear the starter spin free but the engine doesn't turn over.

If the security was killing the starter you wouldn't even get the click.

Result, bad battery or bad connection.

[Rob Bell]

Re: starter solenoid.

I would definitely start with checking the batt terminals and cables for ANY corrosion. Wire brush them so they are nice and shiny. I've had terminals that don't look bad, but it's enough to cause problems.

[FadeToBlak121]

Re: starter solenoid.

well batterys good and solenoids good and i didnt see any corrosion but i didnt check all the way down to the starter. so gunna do that tomorrow and if its all clean, bad starter.

[black98V6]

Re: starter solenoid.

you can have a bad ground and not see it, especially true if it's an older vehicle. If you had a good multimeter you could test the amp draw on the starter. Also check for a loose connection at the starter.

[FadeToBlak121]

Re: starter solenoid.

it was a bad starter. starts fine now that i replaced it.

[black98V6]

Re: starter solenoid.

cool, glad it worked out

[cam98aro]

Re: starter solenoid.

how can you shock yourself with DC current

unless you are trying to do this in a swimming pool...

[FadeToBlak121]

Re: starter solenoid.

good question. all it did was make a few sparks.