Clicks when turning the key on

ROSSCREEK

MEMBER
1997 FORD F-250
5.4L
4WD
AUTOMATIC

We had the starter tested it is okay. Put on new cable ends on, tried a new battery. Lights are bright, radio is strong, the gage shows strong charge but when you turn the key to engage the starter it just clicks. The truck is a f250 lt duty 4x4 w/ a tritin 5.4 engine

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Check the relays in pic then try resetting your security system if no manual look online.

The most common cause is loose nuts on the starter relay. Check the two larger copper nuts. You didn't specify which cable ends you replaced. Ford has had a lot of trouble with the larger battery terminal on the starter. The strands of wire corrode away under the insulation where you can't see it.

You may need to use a test light to follow the positive battery cable circuit to see where you're losing the voltage. If you find 12 volts all the way to the larger starter terminal, and it is still there while a helper tries to crank the engine, suspect the negative cable.

If none of those things leads to a fix, you'll have to clarify the clicking you're hearing. Is that a single click each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank", or is it a series of loud clicks that sound like a buzzing noise?

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