2004 F-150 just "clicks" when key is turned
10

Asked by Lindsay Apr 20, 2015 at 12:07 AM about the 2004 Ford F-150

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2004 F150 5.4L and recently it (every now and then) would delay starting.  When I turn the key nothing happens for a few seconds then it would start fine, not sluggish at all.  Today I went out to start it and nothing but a single "click".  I tried it a few more times to see if it would start and nothing but the click every time I turned the key.  Battery is brand new, only a couple of months old.  I spent my day doing/checking the following:
     *cleaned battery and ground connections
     *tried jumping it
     *checked fluid levels
     *replaced starter and solenoid
     *tested fuses
If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them!

3 Answers
157,515

Bob answered 9 years ago

Lindsay, I realize your battery is new, but I think it needs to be checked. It could be defective or the alternator could be bad making the battery not fully charged. Even measuring the at rest voltage at the battery, then measuring the battery voltage while attempting to crank it over might help point you in the right direction.

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10

Lindsay answered 9 years ago

Thank you Bob, as you suggested I just tested the battery both resting and with key turned (again, it will not even attempt to turn over, just click) and it tested strong. I also tested the power getting to the starter both with the key off and on, it also tested fine.

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10

Josh answered 5 years ago

Pull the ground wire from the other end, and clean that off with a strong wire brush. Then try it.

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