Mid 80's F-250 starting

[perchking]

Ok I just bought a plow truck for out at my camp. It ran a few months ago, I guess but now it wont start. After I have the jumpers hooked up I get a clicking coming from my plow solenoid. I am planing on replacing the battery this weekend and solenoid, is there anything else I should be looking for? I am assuming even if the battery is completely dead, I should still be able to jump it right? the alternator was check and tested out fine. That is why I am thinking it is the plow solenoid because that is where the positive comes off and gives the starter it's power. When you turn it over the clicking is %100 coming from the plow solenoid that is mounted to the inside of the fender or firewall.

HELP!!!!!

PK

[croixflats]

If the battery is completely dead sometimes the draw from the battery prevents jump starting.

[Macgyver55]

The actual starter solenoid is usually mounted on the passenger side fender right near the battery. The plow solenoid could be most anywhere.

When you hear the clicking is it when you turn the key or right when you hook up the jumpers? There is no reason the plow solenoid should actuate unless the controls are activated or there is a wirng problem with it.

If it doesnt crank, but you hear the solenoid click when you turn the key, check the cable connection at the starter and the solenoid. If they are clean and tight the starter is likely the problem.

[perchking]

That is why I love this site thanks MacGyver it clicks when I turn the key over. I thought for sure that was the plow solenoid. The plow functions fine so I am ruling that out. Dumb question, but the wires coming off of the starter solenoid are going directly to the plow, should I go ahead and change the starter solenoid? The solenoid that is clicking is right by the battery on the passenger side fender, and that is the solenoid that is clicking when I try to turn the key over. It is an older truck but when you look at the starter is seems pretty new, but I will bring that in this weekend to get checked out.

Thanks,

[Ryan_V]

when you do get a new battery, put a maintainer on it. I have an '89 f250 plow truck that did the same thing. without dual batteries, a plow is extremely tough on batteries. I got a maintainer at walmart for around $20. keep it plugged in at all times when not running the truck, and your battery will be optimized and the life of it will be considerably longer, not to mention, it keeps the battery "warm" so starting in cold weather is easier. good luck

[Macgyver55]

If you follow the cables from the solenoid one of them should go to the starter. Thats the one you should focus on. The other one going to the plow is probably just there because it is a convienient place to feed it from. Its not uncommon, especially on plow trucks for starters and connections to get corroded. Another thing you can do is jump the solenoid with jumper cables and see if it engages that way. If it stiil wont engage and the starter is newer, the first thing I'd do is check the connection on the starter to make sure its tight.

[perchking]

Will try that, I always though the starter solenoid was part of the starter. IF that is the case that is not the solenoid that is clicking, it is the one on the fender.

How do you go about jumping the starter solenoid?

[Dave]

You jump the starter solenoid by using one jumper cable lead and "jumper" across the two large connection studs on the solenoid.

One cable is coming from the battery and the cable on the other side of that solenoid is going to the starter. You'll just be "jumpering" those two together, using the jumper cable, to see if the engine cranks.

[Dave]

Will try that, I always though the starter solenoid was part of the starter.

On some makes of vehicles it is.

[delcecchi]

We used to use the handles of a pair of pliers, back in the day.

[delcecchi]

Fords had the solenoid on the fender well. I don't know if the newer ones still do.

[SkunkedAgain]

This a mid-80s Ford, and they did have the solenoid on the fender. I had a 1985 F-150 for years and had to fix just about everything at least once. For some reason, I always had problems with the starter. If jumping the solenoid doesn't work, you might need to see if the starter is dead. Luckily they are really easy to replace. If I remember, you just removed the battery wire, loosen a couple of bolts and the starter comes out.

[perchking]

Well I have it up and running, glad to say it was just a frozen battery.

Thanks again,

PK