f150 help please...maybe starter

[mrmoskillz]

I have a 1999 f150 v8 4.6.  Today I changed the plugs and wires.  I took apart the starter solenoid and wired it back up wrong started the truck ran ok then when I turned it off and tried to start again all I got was a click.  A single click not rapid clicks like when the battery is dead.  I changed the solenoid and relay and all I get is a click.  I'm guessing I fried the starter but not a car guy and have no idea if that's it or if I broke something else.  If anyone is in the know please let me know.

[FC]

Did you check for a loose connection? I would try jumping the solenoid (bypassing) and see if it cranks.

[mrmoskillz]

All new and tight connections. New alternator too.  I tried jumping the solenoid to no avail.

[FC]

If battery voltage is good, cables are good, connections are tight and motor isn't seized, you need a starter!

If the truck started after you did all the work than you didn't wire it wrong, I would check all of your connections again though.

[mrmoskillz]

How can I tell if I seized the motor?

[FC]

Grab the balancer from underneath the truck and turn it by hand! Is there some reason you would think you seized it? Unless you put a foreign object in the motor while working on it I am sure it is fine.

[scout/sniper]

If the cab and dash lights go dim when you turn the key....bad starter.
Otherwise the bendix could be jammed between the teeth on the flywheel,
Turning the engine over by hand should correct it.

Have you checked if the battery voltage is going in and out of the solenoid?
New doesn't necessarily mean it's good.

[mrmoskillz]

I don't know a thing about cars.  I am not sure if I seized it or what would cause that.  After I finished the plugs I turned it on started it, it made some weird noises so I turned it off and restarted it.   The noises went away.  I let it warm up a few minutes then took it for a ride.  When I got home I turned it off and tried to start it but all I get is a click.  I can also hear and feel the little black relays under the dash click.  The main click I hear sounds like it is coming from the solenoid under the hood but I replaced it and that's not it. 

[scout/sniper]

You need to determine where the voltage stops. If the starter is getting power when you turn the key, bad starter.

If not, you will know what component is not sending the voltage on and it will be the problem.

[mrmoskillz]

When I turn the key the warning lights on dash and overhead light go off when I let the key go they go back on.  I don't have a way to test voltage.

[scout/sniper]

Sounds like the starter is bad and grounding out.
I was getting ready to grab my test equipment and head your way.
Wife reminded me I can't today, sorry.

I think it is the starter.

[DRobnsn]

I don't know a thing about cars.  I am not sure if I seized it or what would cause that.  After I finished the plugs I turned it on started it, it made some weird noises so I turned it off and restarted it.   The noises went away.  I let it warm up a few minutes then took it for a ride.  When I got home I turned it off and tried to start it but all I get is a click.  I can also hear and feel the little black relays under the dash click.  The main click I hear sounds like it is coming from the solenoid under the hood but I replaced it and that's not it. 

HOLD THE PHONE..... changed the plugs and weird noises? Did you change plugs and starter parts or just plugs then the problem arrived.

[FC]

it made some weird noises so I turned it off and restarted it.   The noises went away.

What kind of noises?

[scout/sniper]

Are you thinking too long of plugs and ran into the pistons? 

[Buckmark]

When I turn the key the warning lights on dash and overhead light go off when I let the key go they go back on.  I don't have a way to test voltage.

test light...you can make one if you dont own one....super easy. 12v lamp, 2 pieces of elec wire and some elec tape.
Click sounds like bad starter/solenoid on starter.
Whack it with a hammer (the starter)

[FC]

Afe you thinking too long of plugs and ran into the pistons?

I would think possibly something got dropped down one of the spark plug or injector holes.

[scout/sniper]

As mentioned above, make sure the engine is free by turning it over by hand.
Take out the plugs if you have to to eliminate comression.

[mrmoskillz]

I just changed the plugs and wires.  I had to take apart the started solenoid to get to the 4 plug.  Wired it up wrong.  The noise were snapping and popping like the plugs were firing up... maybe a loud whistle noise it was late and I cant remember.
I probably fried my whole motor.  Also the 4 plug had oil on it, doesn't that mean other probs?  Thanks Scout for trying to come over

[mrmoskillz]

How do I turn it over by hand?

[scout/sniper]

How do I turn it over by hand?

Put a socket and a long breaker bar on the harmonic balancer and give it some muscle.

[FC]

This isn't sounding good, you might consider having it towed to a mechanic to get it straightened out.

If you want to turn it by hand: lay down under the front of the truck and remove the skid plate (if equipped), reach up and grab hold of the big round thing on the front of the motor and attempt to turn it.

tbh though the type of noises you are describing don't sound like you did this thing any good.

[Buckmark]

How did we get to a siezed engine, or something in a cylinder ? He said it started, ran, and test drove it, yes he did say it made some noise but they went away, so im assuming ran ok, then after shutting off and trying to restart he got the dreaded "click".....

[scout/sniper]

This isn't sounding good, you might consider having it towed to a mechanic to get it straightened out.

If you want to turn it by hand: lay down under the front of the truck and remove the skid plate (if equipped), reach up and grab hold of the big round thing on the front of the motor and attempt to turn it.

tbh though the type of noises you are describing don't sound like you did this thing any good.

  Without being there when this all went down, it is very hard to diagnose.

[DRobnsn]

How do I turn it over by hand?

Put a socket and a long breaker bar on the harmonic balancer and give it some muscle.

Did it sound like this? http://youtu.be/ja-bYyW3uyk
 

[scout/sniper]

I would take out the starter and have it tested first.

[mrmoskillz]

How do I turn it over by hand?

Put a socket and a long breaker bar on the harmonic balancer and give it some muscle.

Did it sound like this? http://youtu.be/ja-bYyW3uyk

No.  It ran fine and motor sounded good.  I turned it off and wont start again.

[scout/sniper]

Good news. I am almost certain it is a bad starter.
Get offline and get on it. 

[FC]

How did we get to a siezed engine, or something in a cylinder ? He said it started, ran, and test drove it, yes he did say it made some noise but they went away, so im assuming ran ok, then after shutting off and trying to restart he got the dreaded "click".....

A slight correction would show that while yes it started, ran and even drove it made a bunch of noises it didn't previously make and after one drive won't start again. Without being there I can only advise starting with basics and keeping it simple. I am going to guess that it didn't run very well if it was making a bunch of new noises either...

[DRobnsn]

How do I turn it over by hand?

Put a socket and a long breaker bar on the harmonic balancer and give it some muscle.

Did it sound like this? http://youtu.be/ja-bYyW3uyk

No.  It ran fine and motor sounded good.  I turned it off and wont start again.

Sorry, I thought you said earlier it made weird noises when you started it after changing the plugs.

[Buckmark]

I would take out the starter and have it tested first.

Be carefull with this as a bench test the starter may spin but still be bad under load.
But its a place to start, heck just buy a replacment (get a good one, not the cheapest on the shelf  ) and throw parts at it.....
But first, check for keyed power to the starter....

[scout/sniper]

He claims to be no mechanic so I was suggesting a professional test it.

[Bullkllr]

I'd whack on the starter with some kind of tool (small hammer, tire tool). It normally takes awhile of malfunctioning (starter sitting in bad spot) before the whole starter is toast. And agree the bench test may show nothing (mine- f150 did not). Smack on it while having someone crank the key- easier than doing it single-handed. If you haven't had any previous starter trouble- and the starter is the problem- it should reengage and start. If it does, you need to get a new starter soon, or get used to "whackin' it". If it doesn't start- it's likely not the starter.

I'm voting for bad connection somewhere, or low battery voltage.

[HntnFsh]

I'm wondering if his starter stayed engaged in the flywheel while the motor was running.  Fried the starter.

[sirfunkeybut]

I'm wondering if his starter stayed engaged in the flywheel while the motor was running.  Fried the starter.

  I just got done going through this, I took the starter apart and even the magnets inside were melted. if the starter was still engaged to the flywheel then it was spinning nonstop just super heating the starter. it could be something as simple as the brushes being bad too, but on a car that new, its probably cheaper to replace the whole starter. You said you wired it wrong, my stepdad just did this last week on a jetta and it caused the starter to have constant power off the alternator, I assume that's what you did?

[huntnphool]

Sounds like he started it and the starter stayed engaged, creating the noise while he drove and eventually burning up, now the starter motor is fused and no longer works.

[Slimdog350]

It sounds like you may have a starter issue but do yourself a favor and go buy a test light with the beeper in it. That way if you don't have a helper you can hear it "beep" when it gets voltage. You have a wire that comes thru the solenoid under the hood down to the starter. Prop up your tester and turn the key like your trying to start it. Listen for the beep. If you hear it then take a closer look at your starter if you don't then it on the other end of things. Check for constant battery power at the starter and check to make sure your getting a good ground. Most manufacturers other than heavy trucks are grounded thru the engine block. Hook your tester on your hot terminal and probe where the starter meets the block. It would be better if you had a digital multimeter because you can check for voltage drops and such. You could also check your starter draw if you had the extra amp clamp. That would tell you right away if your starter was junk. Good luck man! At least your at home and not in the woods!

[mrmoskillz]

Thank all of you! Today I took off the old starter and took it in to be tested... FAIL!  The thingamabobber wouldn't spin or pop out so the guy said it was fried. Couple hours and some bloody knuckles later the new one is in and the truck runs great.
Thanks again guys for the tips

Merry Christmas
Scott

[Heredoggydoggy]

Glad you got it fixed.  I had the same problem with the starter in my '91 Ford Ranger pickup.  The valve cover gasket on the starter side was leaking, and the oil was soaking into the starter, gumming it up.  New starter and new valve cover gaskets solved that problem.  Another time it suddenly wouldn't start, it was just dirty battery terminals, and the starter wasn't getting enough juice.
Merry Christmas!

[scout/sniper]

Excellent!
Glad it worked out well for you.
Merry Christmas.