Calling all mechanics ... need help, van won't start

[thedreamthief]

1993 Ford E-150 5.0L V8.
Been sitting, unused for about 2 years.
Put in brand new battery. Van powers up ok. Electrical looks good from what I can tell (radio ok, headlights ok, interior lights ok, etc.).

When I try to crank the van, nothing happens.
Starter tests good.
I do hear a single click (like a relay) when I try to crank the van, but *it is not the starter clicking*. I am not sure what it is, or if it even matters.
The problem exists between the battery and the starter.
Fuses all seem good.
Any ideas?

 

[billfred]

1993 Ford E-150 5.0L V8.
Been sitting, unused for about 2 years.
Put in brand new battery. Van powers up ok. Electrical looks good from what I can tell (radio ok, headlights ok, interior lights ok, etc.).

When I try to crank the van, nothing happens.
Starter tests good.
I do hear a single click (like a relay) when I try to crank the van, but *it is not the starter clicking*. I am not sure what it is, or if it even matters.
The problem exists between the battery and the starter.
Fuses all seem good.
Any ideas?

take it to the shop. all that new stuff has computer electronics that are hard for shade tree mechanics to diagnose.

 

[thedreamthief]

take it to the shop. all that new stuff has computer electronics that are hard for shade tree mechanics to diagnose.

It's a 93 Ford Van. Not a lot of computer/electronic stuff in there. A fairly mechanically simple vehicle.

 

[xrsist]

It's a 93 Ford Van. Not a lot of computer/electronic stuff in there. A fairly mechanically simple vehicle.

their not that simple mate, you need to find where the click noise is coming from first

 

[DannoMight]

Tap on the starter with a hammer. Sometimes they get bound up when they are goin bad but usually you can hit them with a hammer and it will turn over.

 

[thedreamthief]

Tap on the starter with a hammer. Sometimes they get bound up when they are goin bad but usually you can hit them with a hammer and it will turn over.

Sorry, it's not the starter. I pulled the starter and had it tested. It tested fine.
It's almost like power isn't getting to the starter ... like I mentioned before, problem exists between battery and starter.

Thanks.

 

[jestro]

When ever I've had clicking, it's been a battery terminal problem. Take off the cables, clean the posts, put the cables back on and make sure they are snug.

 

[Y_lifter]

My money is on a bad starter relay or solenoid ?

There is a way to use a screw driver to short circuit across it to verify,
but you would probably electrocute youself.


or simply not enough juice to turn over the starter, hence the solenoid click, but enough to run the radio etc.

 

[theoak01]

My money is on a bad starter relay or solenoid ?

There is a way to use a screw driver to short circuit across it to verify,
but you would probably electrocute youself.


or simply not enough juice to turn over the starter, hence the solenoid click, but enough to run the radio etc.

thats what im thinkin

 

[thedreamthief]

I will check into the starter relay. That sounds reasonable. Might also be dead ignition.. the clicking noise is the starter relay from what I have found out. I don't know if the clicking noise means it is working ok or what, though.