Truck will not crank

Tiny
TMCCLENDON
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167 MILES
I never had any issues with it cranking/turning over, one day I was about to go somewhere and all of a sudden it would not crank. All I heard was a click when I turned the key. The click sounded like it was coming from the starter solenoid, so I had the starter solenoid replaced. I had the starter replaced, and I had the crankshaft position sensor replaced, and it still will not crank. Light and everything comes on. Just will not crank. Could it be something electrical? What could it be?
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019 AT 6:31 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,716 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Is the starter now engaging or is that still the issue? Have the battery terminals been cleaned and tightened as well as the main ground to the engine block?

If the starter won't engage, then we need to confirm there is power to the S terminal on the starter solenoid. Follow the directions in this link and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If the starter is working but the engine won't start, take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

If you haven't already, check fuse 21 in the fuse / relay panel. Also, pay attention if the gear indicator on the dash is working. If it is, see if it will start in neutral.

I attached a few pics. The first one is the starting system schematic. The second shows where the starter relay is located. Pics three and four are the fuse I am referring to.

Here is a link that explains how to check a relay:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here are links that explain how to check fuses and I also added a few links which explain how to use the test equipment needed:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, August 23rd, 2019 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,411 POSTS
Hello and welcome to 2CarPros. I understand you replace the starter motor and still clicks? First thing you need to check is your battery. If battery is good, verify the cables are clean and free of corrosion. Also I need you to measure the voltage at the big red wire at the starter. You need to have battery voltage. If low voltage or none then there is an issue somewhere in that battery cable.

If you have battery voltage at the cable with an assistant, remove the trigger wire at the solenoid and with a volt meter check for battery voltage when the assistant turns the key to the crank position on the key. If battery voltage is present then check your ground cable as well. If you have high resistance at the ground it will cause a starting issue. If all is good then try turning the engine over by hand to verify the engine has not seized.

Here is a link on starter operation:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-starter-and-solenoid-works

Here is link on volt meter usage:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

And another link on how electrical systems work:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-electrical-system-works

Let us know the voltage measurements and we can proceed from there.
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Friday, August 23rd, 2019 AT 9:21 PM

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