2003 F-150 starter problem?

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Doogie - 26 Feb 2006 16:18 GMT

Happens intermittently. I get in, insert key, turn on ignition, and nothing.
Just a 'click' and it won't start. Dashboard lights are all on so it's not a
battery problem. I can say it has only happened in cold weather, after it
has been sitting all night or all day. After 3-4 minutes of trying and
trying it will suddenly start. Happened twice yesterday (early morning, late
at night) after not happening for about a year.

17,000 miles on it. 4.6 L V8, 4x4

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JohanB - 26 Feb 2006 16:59 GMT

Make sure the battery clamps and post are clean, not just by looking at them
but take them off and clean them.

Dashboard lites don't tell you if your battery is ok, they will come on at
10 volts but that wont start the engine

When the starter clicks, do the dashlites dim ???

> Happens intermittently. I get in, insert key, turn on ignition, and nothing.
> Just a 'click' and it won't start. Dashboard lights are all on so it's not a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> 17,000 miles on it. 4.6 L V8, 4x4

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lugnut - 26 Feb 2006 17:38 GMT

>Happens intermittently. I get in, insert key, turn on ignition, and nothing.
>Just a 'click' and it won't start. Dashboard lights are all on so it's not a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>17,000 miles on it. 4.6 L V8, 4x4

Try cleaning and tightening the spade connector for the
ignition wire at the starter solenoid. You may have to
remove the heat shield to see it. Coat it with a high
silicon grease or similar substance to reduce corrosion in
the future. This has been a common problem since they
changed to this system.

Lugnut

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StreetMedic - 27 Feb 2006 04:04 GMT

> Happens intermittently. I get in, insert key, turn on ignition, and
> nothing. Just a 'click' and it won't start. Dashboard lights are all on so
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> 17,000 miles on it. 4.6 L V8, 4x4

Any chance the Passive Anti-Theft System's acting wonky?

I've got an '04 with a remote starter that occasionally ('bout once a
month, but more so when it's really cold outside) refuses to start until I
go outside and actually put the key in the ignition. Frankly, I don't have
the slightest idea why it does it, but I've always had an instinctive sense
it was the PATS not playing nice-nice with the remote starter.

Maybe you've got something similar going on?

/shrugs

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