Replaced starter and alternator on my F150, but still having troubles..

Asked by Brittany Jun 29, 2017 at 06:18 PM about the 2008 Ford F-150 XLT

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My starter went out on my truck so I replaced it. It
still took a few seconds to start up, so naturally I
thought it was the battery. The battery is perfect,
so I took the alternator to autozone and found out
it was bad. I replaced the alternator and checked
the battery again (which is good), but it's still
lagging to start. Also when it starts the gauges will
flicker. I'm not sure if it's a relay, switch, or what,
but I would like some advice before spending
another 200 bucks for the same issue. Can
someone please help? I work on Chevy not Ford's
so this is new.

3 Answers

9,045

Saying you work on chevys and not ford, what does that even mean. Did your ford not have 4 wheels and an engine, like the chevys do. Your issue maybe multiple things, a long crank before starting can indicate bad reading form a mas air sensor. Or bad injectors, high resistance in the starter circuit, the other symptoms could be loose ground circuits or a number of things, u need to do basic tests that apply to all cars, like checking the amp draw while cranking( using an amp clamp) on the starter red wire. Check charging voltage, hooking up a fuel pressaure gage and see the fuel psi while cranking, and other tests used to diagnose a starting concern

4,205

The main ground wire for the truck goes to one of the starter bolts. The cable connector on these cables are thin and weak. If it is not clean and tight. The starter will turn slowly and cause all sorts of strange electrical issues. Also make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight.

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