Okay, I have a 1989 F250 5.8. I drove it one night parked it for a couple hours, came out and tried to start it, just clicks. The truck isn't exactly the best condition. It does have a push button start that is jumpered into the starter solenoid ( only have had the truck for a couple weeks and haven't gotten to the ignition switch yet). Anyway, turn the key, push the button to start, and just clicks. Tried to jumper the solenoid, nothing, just some sparks. So I thought maybe the starter was bad, tried to jump the starter directly - nothing. So i replaced the starter, still nothing. All that the truck does is click at the starter solenoid... i'm stumped.. I looked at all the connections, tried to jump start the battery... I have no idea whats going on. Any ideas?

 

Little update. Tried replacing the solenoid, the starter now clicks, instead of the solenoid. So power is getting to the starter now. I also tried another battery - still nothing. So I'm really not sure whats going on... Any help please?!?

 

I'd like you to try and turn the motor over by hand if you wouldn't mind you can do this by getting 15/16 deep wall socket and 1/2 inch break over bar and turning the bolt in center of the crankshaft pulley if it doesn't turn over then you have a bigger problem than just a burned out starter or weak battery

 

Yes, sorry. Forgot to mention. While I had the starter out I turned the flywheel. I also tried to push start it, the motor will turn over with the wheels turning, but it won't fire, or sputter, or backfire, or anything. Just roll in gear.

 

okay does that starter have just one big wire or does it have a little one beside or under the big one? I can't remember when they changed the styles of them

 

Just one wire. Looks like this. It does have a ground wire to the bolt that on the body, but its just a ground.

 

All right did you put that ground wire back on it?

 

Yes I did. I cleaned up the connection with a wire brush and made sure it was tight.

 

Could you have more than one problem?
Maybe defective battery cable(s), corroded internally?
What about that ignition switch, is it sending any/enough juice to the coil?

 

I will check the cables and see what I come up with. The ignition switch has been bypassed with a push button. I would love to fix that, but need the truck running first. I have driven the truck for a couple weeks with no problems before this.