Trouble Starting

[barber42]

HELP Sometimes the truck wont start . I have tried everthing i know to get it to start every time . I think i have it fixed and it fools me again.I checked the battery its good .When it will not start with the key i cross the starter celliond with a screwdriver it starts right up then it might start next time but sooner or later it quits again any suggestions.Don

[sargentrs]

Sounds like maybe a bad switch, starter solenoid or grounding issue. When it won't start have you checked for power at the starter solenoid? You should get 12v to the "S" terminal at the solenoid with the key in start position. My stepson had a foxbody mustang that gave us fits with a similar problem. Pulled the starter off, cleaned both sides of the spacer plate with scotchbrite, cleaned the bolt hole threads with degreaser and PB blaster and cleaned the mating surface of the starter with scotchbrite. Reinstalled the started and torqued the bolts and never had another problem. It wasn't grounding through the starter. Also, the bolts that hold the starter solenoid on are just sheet metal screws in a round hole. Sometimes they don't ground too well. Replace them with bolts, nuts and star washers after cleaning the mating surfaces to bare metal.

[barber42]

Thanks will try anything