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  #1  
Old 02-21-2017, 06:39 PM
Brad95 Brad95 is offline
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Default Something ignitiony

So my truck has battery, has a charge, and has lights and things, but when I try to start it, it only clicks. It will start if I jump start it, but thats not always available. I'm pretty sure I've got a problem with my ignition lock cylinder, because the housing part that lines up with the key, spins, but the entire cylinder does not spin. I'm not sure if this is the issue, or if it is something else. please get back to me, with any help.
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  #2  
Old 02-21-2017, 06:56 PM
JAMMANICA JAMMANICA is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

Could be as simple as a crusty battery terminal. Battery might be shot too, just about all auto parts stores will check your battery for free in the car in their parking lot.

Look simple before you go deep.
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Old 02-22-2017, 06:08 AM
Brad95 Brad95 is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

Quote:
Originally Posted by JAMMANICA View Post
Could be as simple as a crusty battery terminal. Battery might be shot too, just about all auto parts stores will check your battery for free in the car in their parking lot.

Look simple before you go deep.
The terminals are both new, I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure the battery is not the issue, because depending on the position of the ignition all the lights will come on, and sometimes they won't. Ive been having a lot of issues with my electronics in my truck lately. Sometimes when I start my truck the head unit resets and other times it doesn't. Im not sure what the actual issue is with that yet. but with what is going on at the moment, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 times of putting the key in and turning it to start before it will actually start
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  #4  
Old 02-22-2017, 06:33 AM
Brad95 Brad95 is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

I think it is my Starter Relay
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  #5  
Old 02-22-2017, 09:10 AM
horizon94 horizon94 is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

Try cleaning up the contacts (especially signal wire) of the solenoid and starter.

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Old 02-22-2017, 02:10 PM
Brad95 Brad95 is offline
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Default

I changed my starter relay and that made it sound like a bunch of clicks not just one. But it still doesn't start on its own, onky with a jump does it start
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Old 02-22-2017, 02:27 PM
horizon94 horizon94 is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

What does the anti-theft light do when you have the key in the ignition?

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Old 02-22-2017, 07:00 PM
nopwcb nopwcb is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad95 View Post
I changed my starter relay and that made it sound like a bunch of clicks not just one. But it still doesn't start on its own, onky with a jump does it start
only thing a "jump" does is supply voltage and current your battery should be supplying already. As you were previous told check/charge the battery or substitute/replace with a known good one. Could also be a charging system problem but until you find out whats going on with the battery your guessing...↓↓
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*"Guessing" is not a strategy for evaluating mechanical failures. It is a plan to increase costs, up to human injury and death.
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Old 02-22-2017, 08:18 PM
JAMMANICA JAMMANICA is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

I have seen batteries fail hours after install, just because it is new or has not been previously a problem doesn't mean it is good. You will have a hard time diagnosing this problem effectively without load testing the battery first, and it is free.

Whach'ya waiting for?
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  #10  
Old 02-22-2017, 11:20 PM
Undrstm8ed Undrstm8ed is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

Take a DVOM attach it to the battery, red to red black to black and lean thd meter againsg thd hood sk you can see it from the drivers seat.

Note what voltage is at rest, should be between 12.2 -12.8

> turn key forward, turn to crank.. if the voltage drops 11-10 volts you have a capacitance or weak battery and failure underway.. R&R battery, especially in a coldrr climate.

If it drops below 10 volts you already have bad cells, replace battery.

Another thing to consider is the short power line from the battery terminal to starter solenoid on the fender often rots out on fords.. check it too.

----------

If it does non of those, report back to us on the findings
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  #11  
Old 02-23-2017, 05:13 AM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: Something ignitiony

Things OP needs to know and react to:

a) Just because a battery "has a charge" or shows mid 12 volts doesn't mean it will deliver sufficient amperage to start the vehicle. Age takes it's toll and cells can fail internally, sometimes without warning, yet it still "has a charge". You need information, go get your battery load tested; it's free.

b) post #3, "I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure the battery is not the issue". Pretty sure is not the correct answer when you're trying to solve a problem. It needs to be a definitive yes or no answer, and an answer with 100% certainty. Otherwise, the guessing, hypothesizing, theorizing game goes on and on. By answering yes or no to the battery issue, you will either have fixed the problem (new battery) or will have ruled out a concern and can now, with confidence move on to another area of concern and NOT have to think about the battery being at fault again. It's that easy, not to mention an efficient use of time.

3) Back to post #1, " I'm pretty sure I've got a problem with my ignition lock cylinder, because the housing part that lines up with the key, spins, but the entire cylinder does not spin". While this is not the part that is causing the starting problem, you need to know that when these ignition locks are doing this, that if you don't replace it, they have a history of binding and seizing, you will be unable to turn the key, and, being unable to start the vehicle, you will be left stranded. That's the first problem, the second is, you will now be forced to replace the lock cylinder, either in a parking lot or after towing the vehicle home. The third problem, potentially, is that removal of the failed lock cylinder may be much more difficult/confusing/frustrating than if it had been replaced when you could actually rotate the key. All this, because you ought to know the potential consequences of ignoring the worn out lock cylinder because, what I just described has happened to others.
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