f150 help please...maybe 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.