Hi Folks,

Without any prior warning or symptoms, I went to start the car last night and it will not turn over. All the lights work normally; when I turn the key to engage the starter, the car clicks, the lights flicker as they normally would, but then nothing. I tried to jump it, but that made no difference. I checked the connections at the battery to insure they were good and tight, though I didn't remove to inspect for corrosion.

The first thing that comes to mind is starter replacement, but what other things should I look for before replacing the starter?

Also, on a Series 1, what are the steps to replacing the starter if it comes to this? The car is in a remote location, so besides a good ratchet set and wrenches, what tools are a must have? I don't have ramps, but I do have a hydraulic floor jack. Will that be enough?

Thanks,
John

is the Security light illuminated on the dash??

how old is the battery and the Alt?


having said that, the clicking and lights flickering may be a cooked battery

The security light is acting normally.

A few more details:

- battery was replaced last July.
- Ignition switch on the column was replaced last July, complete with new keys.
- At the same time, the "Pro Lock" dealer-installed anti-theft device was deactivated.

I had a similar problem last July, except there was no clicking, and no change in lighting when the starter was engaged. It ended up being the ignition switch.

If it'* the battery I am thinking the lights would go out completely, and I would hear a series of clicks, instead of just one click like I am hearing today. Am I thinking wrong?

Thanks,
John

You need to have someone listen by the starter while you turn the key to see if thats where the clicking is coming from.
If so you could try rapping on it with a hammer handle to see if it turns over. This will tell you if the starter needs replacing.
Its not that bad, couple wires and two large bolts and I think a plastic cover to remove.

Well, I thought of rapping the starter with a hammer("do it the American Way...use a bigger hammer!"). Reading some posts, I though the starter was enclosed in a transmission side housing. Is that correct? Or, is changing the starter as simple as you say? I like the idea of a couple of bolts, a couple of wires, and a plastic cover! I changed a starter on my '95 F150 (5L V last year and it was fairly straightforward. It took about an hour.

Thanks.
John

It isn't enclosed in anything, but it is tight in there. Try the hammer trick while someone turns the key.

Does the engine crank at all?

I just replaced the starter on my 93 SE about a month ago when I put a new engine in. It is fairly straight forward....Two bolts a couple of wires to plug and play. Nothing a standard tool box wont have in it.

The tricky part is getting the pinion gear on the starter to line up with the fly wheel. They have a very specific clearance (down to .0001 of an inch) to operate properly. You may need some shims to space the starter propoerly. So be sure you buy some of those just in case. Lastly, Please dont forget to use jack stands. I would never trust a hydrualic jack while being under a car like that. Stay safe and let us know how things go.

-IKZ

Problem solved...without a starter. Actually I read a past post in these forums, I think by BillBoost37. The problem was that double cable on the positive battery terminal. It was nice and tight, and looked clean on the outside. But today when I took it apart as the post suggested....just full of corrosion! I cleaned 'er up, put it back together, and it cranked right up! Seems I had power for everything, but not enough to turn the starter.

BTW, yes I did take a few whacks with the hammer...no luck. I even got a wrench on the crank pulley and turned the engine a time or two by hand...still no go. Then I remembered reading that post!

Bill, if that was you who posted about the corrosion...thanks!

John

I hope that hour included a nap and few beers It can't get much easier than on an F150.
I'm a pro at it now; 94 F150 5.o 4x4, thanks to pepboys junk reman'*.

Yes it was a little less than an hour, and that was without a jack or ramps! It was my first starter replacement.


Very easy!