97 Bird 4.6 V8 no start

New to the forums, got these problems. I know, join the club. Here's the story guys...any shot at a diagnosis would be greatly appreciated.

Right now--Battery fresh from a charge, car wont start. Can hear fuel pump going, but not a click from the starter. Interior and exterior lights on and BIL says it's not the alternator b/c they stay on when he pulls negative (?) battery cable?

It had been starting kind of weak before it went out, battery eventually died, thought it was alternator...waited. At times it would start right up, but most often not. Then it died at the office XMas party. Thinking it was alternator, took the battery to charge and returned to try and start and drive home to change alternator out...nothing. Same as today.

If there's anything I left out, feel free to ask or PM.

Thanks guys,

CJ

Is the solenoid clicking? Fords have a remote mounted starter solenoid so it is possible for the solenoid to go out without taking out the starter unlike most GM's. And just so you know removing a battery cable while the car is running to test the alternator is a VERY bad way to test it. It is EXTREMELY harsh on the alternator and not necessarily a 100% way to test it. If the alternator has nothing to charge it can sometimes fry to voltage regulator or the alternator itself.

Try jumping the solenoid with a PLASTIC handled screwdriver. if it fires up u just got a bad solenoid. Jumping just means touch the shaft of the screw driver across the 2 large poles on the solenoid.

Most Ford products have three terminals on the relay located near the battery,two with heavy cables & one with a small wire.You can jump between the battery side & the small terminal with the ignition switch in the run position.If engine turns over & starts,there is a problem in the small wire (from ignition switch).Be very careful jumping the two heavy cables,you could have major sparking which could conceivably explode the battery or you could be buyrned by the 100-200 plus amperage.

Jumping the solenoid does cause heavy sparks so please dont take it lightly.

I'd bet it's the relay, they're pretty inexpensive at autozone/advance/checker/schucks, ETC. As a side note don't let anyone disconnect the battery with the motor running, it's a good way to burn the diodes up and lose an alternator/regulator in a hurry. Also, check the cables running from the battery to the relay and from the relay to the starter. Since you said it had been starting weak corrosion in the terminals could be causing you a headache. You may not be able to see it but they like to go from the inside out. As a matter of fact, I'd just go ahead and relace the battery cables, starter relay and relay to starter cable for cheap insurance. Alltogether they shouldn't run much more than 20 dollars.