1998 F-150, on 2nd battery in 18 months; truck will start 1st thing, at random will not start, starter makes click but have to jump off - no dash light warnings - what should I look for?

Asked by jnfllr Aug 24, 2015 at 01:19 PM about the 1998 Ford F-150 Lariat Extended Cab Stepside SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have noticed that when entering the
vehicle, if it's not going to start the
door does not ding; I had the sliding
mechanism in the heat/air fixed last
year, they had to take out entire dash
& messed up several things with the
truck - gears slipping BC they broke
the shifting column, etc - all have
been repaired but looking for
possible causes including alternator
before I have another mechanic rob
me.

3 Answers
157,465

Bob answered 8 years ago

Check all of the wiring at the battery and the starter. Sounds like an intermittent open circuit possibly due to corrosion in the electrical system. Also try remove and reinstall each relay in the fuse box.

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73,320

OJ answered 8 years ago

Check the voltage on the battery with a meter. If the voltage is dropping overnight you have a parasitic drain on the battery. Check the net for how to detect, it is not difficult, just a little time consuming. If voltage to battery is a little over twelve volts you probably have a ground connection problem.

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