I have a 2003 Taurus SE 3.0 that I just replaced the starter. I’m now thinking that the starter wasn’t bad because it’s now doing the same thing. When you turn the key to on position most all of the dash lights are off and some are dim. When you turn key to start all you get is a loud clicking noise from under the hood. If you keep trying eventually it starts as nothing is wrong. I’m thinking now that maybe it’s the Ignition Lock Cylinder or starter relay or ignition switch. Looking for some help here, I don’t know a lot about fords.

 

This symptom can happen to any car/truck when insufficient power from the vehicle battery is not available to the starter motor.

Some of the things that can cause this are
Low battery state of charge
High resistance impeding necessary current flow to starter , corroded connections possibly beginning at battery cable connections.Positive or negative supply from battery.
Cables corroded internally
Poor connection at starter solenoid, to name a few.
Suggest you check , clean and reinstall battery cable connections , both ends, at the battery and where the cables connect to vehicle.
Let us know how you make out with this, thanks..