tdbaker156

Ok just got an 83 f150 5.0 4x4 manual. Brand new sylenoid brand new battery tested the starter and it worked perfectly, but as soon as I then the key the sylenoid just clicks once. I tried running the wire straight from the starter to the positive battery terminal and nothing happens. Any ideas? I really need this running ASAP.

mynameismud

how'd you test the starter? in or out of the truck? could still be the syl, has it started since its been put on? whats the battery voltage at?

freegdr

grounds grounds grounds fords are like xjs very touchy with them

tdbaker156

I took the starter to a parts store and they bench tested it. It passed with flying colors. And I've pretty much check as many grounds as I can find.

mynameismud

id try another sylenoid or try and boost it perhaps? were all your connections on your starter and sylenoid clean, id go at them with some sand paper just to be sure.

The Rooster

it sounds like the starter selinod... if it is a cheap one they burn out quick... make sure your battery cable ends are clean and tight... it also could be the ing switch in the colnum i would check that to make sure it is not melted... but yours is a 83 not sure if it has that...

Bustedback

How is the battery ground at the engine block?

PatriotGT

Make sure both battery cables are good, as well as the battery. Wifes Grand Prix
quit cranking. It had the dual post battery (top and side) and somehow the side post quit working.

jnicewan

So you ran a wire directly from the starter to +batt terminal, and the starter also bench tested good? Other than what was mentioned already, check the grounds, check the battery.

You can basically use a set of jumper cables for jumper wires here. Run one jumper cable from +batt to starter, run other jumper cable from -batt to starter mount bolt or engine block/ground. If battery is good the starter should spin doing the above.
Keep in mind doing the above test doesnt tell you exactly whats wrong, you still need to see if its the battery, neg cable, positive cable from battery to solenoid, or starter cable from solenoid to starter. I have also seen new solenoid/relays bad out of the box.

tdbaker156

Ok update its fixed. I finally got a multimeter and checked the voltage, I had 12.4 at the end of the starter wire running from the sylenoid. But once I conected it to the starter only had 0.4 it ended up being the ground running from the block to the firewall. I ran a ground straight from the starter bolt where it bikers to the tranny and bolted it to the frame. And it started right up. Thanks everyone for the help

b. lee

Grounds are very crucial and often underestimated in the size of the problems they can cause. If you haven't already, go through and clean and retighten all grounds, battery to engine, battery to body, engine to frame, etc. These are a big deal. Clean the cables and mounting points to shiny metal and tighten them down good. You'll remedy a ton of gremlins in a few minutes this way.

The Rooster

no problem any pictures of the truck?

tdbaker156

It's pretty much stock. Has an edlebrock intake and 660 four barrel carb true dual flowmaster exhaust granny low 4 speed and a leveling kit.

tdbaker156

I only paid $350 for it so I don't think I did too bad

The Rooster

thats a badass truck just needs a grill... nice find