i have a 1999 f250 super duty. i replaced the alternator about 3 weeeks ago just replaced starter solinoid and battery within the last 4 months. now it won't start. please help

Asked by hammond99 May 23, 2016 at 11:49 PM about the 1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 4WD Crew Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

how do you know if starter is bad? replaced alt and batt and solinoid. and still
seems to not have the power to turn over the engine.

11 Answers

620

when you try to start the car, does it click just once or twice? Then nothing happens? then that is your starter.

15,715

NO! Have a parts store test your battery. When your alternator died it probably ran down your battery. If you have a charger, put it on a slow, 2 amp charge overnight. Try to start it then. If that is not the problem, make sure all terminals are clean and tight. Doubtful that starter is bad.

1 people found this helpful.
40

Sounds like starter take starter to auto parts store have it (the starter) tested most places test for free

15,715

Yes, they will test it for free but why go to all the work to pull the starter when it is much easier to eliminate the battery first??? THINK More starters are replaced when the problem is actually a battery..

40

The battery was replaced four months ago- it could be faulty but not too likely- starters aren t too difficult

15,715

If what you said that the alternator was 3 weeks old and battery 4 months old then I still say if alt died it probably ran down your battery. I'm done. If you want to do all the work to pull the starter again, it is your truck. Battery is easier to eliminate if it is good or bad. if good, then pull the starter. I've been doing this since 1951... how long have you been doing it?

1 people found this helpful.
15,715

Just don't like to see anyone do any work that can be avoided in the course of troubleshooting.

620

ok try this test, turn on your lights and see what color they are. if they are bright then that eliminates the battery being bad. If they are dim then that means that your battery is very weak and most likely does not have enough amps to turn the starter. Also check and see if the battery connectors are not loose. If your battery is good then the starter is most likely the culprit. Also when you turn the key to start the engine, does it crank or not? If it does not, then that also confirms that the starter is the problem most likely. Now we're waiting for your test results to settle this problem for once and for all.

1 people found this helpful.

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