[marvin dean]

my 97 f-250 light duty has been running great until i went to start it and it wont crank i have power every where and battery is fully charged and all the lights are bright but all i get is a click at the relay on the fire wall it seems like the starter isn't getting power to crank has anyone ever had this problem?

 

[grandview]

Sounds like it's time for a starter.

 

[Little Jon]

my 97 f-250 light duty has been running great until i went to start it and it wont crank i have power every where and battery is fully charged and all the lights are bright but all i get is a click at the relay on the fire wall it seems like the starter isn't getting power to crank has anyone ever had this problem?

Is it a single click or a series of clicks. I had the single click on my dakota and after doing every thing short of a new starter, I got rid of it. The series of clicks we get when its cold and the battery is drained, but the lights and everything else works.

 

[DeereFarmer]

Sounds like you need a new starter or solenoid.

 

[DJ Contracting]

On the Fords they have a little wire that goes to the starter solenoid @ the starter it's a blue wire and has a female connector check that connection chance are it is corroded.

 

[FordFisherman]

I second that DJ, same thing happened to my 97...check those wires first, then replace the solenoid. Good luck

 

[blk90s13]

starter solenoid ( fender mount ) they go bad all the time

 

[tim096]

If the solnoid is clicking it is most likely still good. Check the positive cable at the starter it is very common for these to be corroaded or even rotted off. You might end up needing a starter because the bolt on the solnoid might brake when trying to remove it to replace the battery cable. Try ever hard not to brake it. these starters can be a real pia to remove on these trucks .hope this helps
tim

 

[KATTRANSPORT]

Sounds like you need a good hammer.

 

[84deisel]

ford uses magnetic starters meaning no brushes, so the hammer trick wont work on anything newer than 92 I think.

 

[Mudman78]

On my 5.4L the positive battery cable end broke off at the starter.

 

[merrimacmill]

Yup, need a starter. I think you already got that though

 

[MickiRig1]

Make sure the truck is in park or out of gear before doing this:
Carefully with gloves on use the handles of a pair of bare metal pliers to bypass the starter solenoid. Put one handle of the pliers on the large post on the solenoid and the other on the (large) post that has the wire that leads to the starter. This shorts across the solenoid and will trigger the starter. ( Hence why it needs to be out of gear )
Be careful the pliers may get very hot if the starter is bad or shorted. If the starter operates normally it's a bad fender solenoid, replace it.
Parts stores will check the starter for you if you take it off. Make a note of how the cable goes on the starter. If you don't, it can take a while to figure it out.

 

[91AK250]

had the same prob w/my f-250..it was the starter since then she starts every time no prob.

goodluck

 

[MickiRig1]

I forgot to mention clean all the cable connections. Protect them with Dielectric grease. Nine times out of ten it does no good but it worth a try.