I just purchased a 1988 b150 v6. It' having some starting issues.

Currently it is making rapid clicking noises at what I believe to be the starter relay and the ignition relay. No noise from the starter.

The starter has just been rebuilt, used a good battery from my truck. Starter relay has been replaced. Cables are tight/clean.

12v are making it down to the starter solenoid on the larger hot wire but not on the smaller wire coming from the starter relay.

would the relays rapidly click if the wire to the starter is corroded?

any tests I could do? Is it possible to skip the relays and jump the starter?

 

Forgot to mention the van clicked when I picked it up but started up nicely once power got to the starter. Drove fine until I parked it for 5 days

thanks

 

Found out how to jump the starter. Did it. All I hear is spinning like a fan at the starter. From my reading this sounds like a solenoid even though it was just rebuild.

If this is the case would that cause my relay to rapidly click when trying to start or do I likely have separate issues

 

The rapid clicking can be due to shorted starter motor windings.

 

Now I'm super confused. As I said I jumped the starter. Just spinning fan sounds no grinding. Pulled the starter. Bench tested it and everything thing was fine, spun popped out.

checked the fly wheel teeth were in good condition and starter teeth. Turned the fan hoping to move the fly wheel a bit just in case. Put it back in, same issue when jumping( just spinning).

At this point I'm stumped. Any suggestions would be great.

thanks

 

The starter drive has a clutch. If the gear engages the flywheel yet that clutch slips, then the engine will not turn.