starter won't crank

[gunner360]

I have a 1987 f150 with the 351w and a couple weeks ago i went out to start my truck and the starter wouldn't turn at all, so me and my dad check everything and none of it did the trick so we tried a new solenoid that didn't do it either so we cleaned all the connections and that worked for a couple days then I drove the truck this morning and it started fine and went to get gas and when i went to drive off the starter wouldn't crank again so i let it sit a couple min. and then it started so at least for now when i drive my truck ithas to sit far at least 20 min. before it will crank again. just hoping someone can help. the battery is fine i checked it.

[bjlordemann]

Sounds like a weak starter to me ; any idea how old it is? most auto parts stores can "load test" you starter for free, of course you have to take it in to them. good luck

[gunner360]

the starter is 8 months old, it works fine when it wants to

[Bowtiebreaker]

check your ignition switch. The next time you run it try jumping a wire on the solenoid after you shut it off to see if you can beat the twenty minute mark. If thats not the problem there could be a problem with your distributer. Could also be a bad wire.

[Bowtiebreaker]

I forgot to mention there could be a bad ground check that as well. For if it gets hot it will not crank for some reason. When you shut the engine off it gains around twenty degrees for the oil and water are not moving.

[kraymer]

Originally Posted by gunner360

I have a 1987 f150 with the 351w and a couple weeks ago i went out to start my truck and the starter wouldn't turn at all, so me and my dad check everything and none of it did the trick so we tried a new solenoid that didn't do it either so we cleaned all the connections and that worked for a couple days then I drove the truck this morning and it started fine and went to get gas and when i went to drive off the starter wouldn't crank again so i let it sit a couple min. and then it started so at least for now when i drive my truck ithas to sit far at least 20 min. before it will crank again. just hoping someone can help. the battery is fine i checked it.

I am having the exact same issue with my daughter's 2000 Ford Explorer. Every few weeks after driving it for 20 minutes or so, she turns it off and then it won't crank at all - like the battery is totally dead. But the battery, starter, alternator, etc all check out fine. After letting it sit for a few minutes (now it takes longer), it will start fine. I've had the thing towed twice to a garage and when it gets there, it starts up fine. They can't find anything.

Any thoughts????

[theoldwizard]

When you get a "no crank" condition, check the voltage at the battery posts when the key is in the On position and then in the Start position. You should see the voltage drop by about 2 volts when the key is in the Start position.

If you don't see a voltage change, there is a problem between the battery and the starter (bad/dirty connections or bad solenoid/relay) or there is no signal coming from the key.

If you see the battery voltage drop below approximately 9.5 volts you either have a weak/failing battery (not fully charged) or a failing starter (excessive current draw). Sometimes a failing starter will work after moderate tapping with a hammer.

If possible, check the voltage at the starter connection when the key is in the Start position.

99% of all "no crank" problems can be prevented ! Regular (once or twice a year) cleaning the battery and inspecting all "high current" ("BIG wire") connections between the battery and the starter will prevent you from being "found on the road dead" !

[kraymer]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

If you don't see a voltage change, there is a problem between the battery and the starter (bad/dirty connections or bad solenoid/relay) or there is no signal coming from the key.

If you see the battery voltage drop below approximately 9.5 volts you either have a weak/failing battery (not fully charged) or a failing starter (excessive current draw). Sometimes a failing starter will work after moderate tapping with a hammer.[/i][/b]

I haven't checked the voltage when the problem is present - mainly because it won't duplicate it at the garage.

However I will say that the connections are totally good, the key is fine, the battery is fine, and the starter is fine. We tried tapping the starter with a hammer during the last episode and it didn't help.

I've done some searching on the internet and have found some similar issues that replacing the EEC relay helped. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for your assistance!!!