Cold weather..turn key and get "click" no start

[TD444EVER]

I have a 02' F350. Never had any problems with it. The other day the truck sat for 8 hours in probably 25-30 degree F. weather. I went out to start it, cycled the glowplugs as usual, and all i got was a "click" noise. Everything else was working as usual (all my lights work, heater came on, etc.). Tried a few more times and finally it turned over and started like nothing happened. When my truck sits at home its plugged in and I've never had this problem before. The other day it happened again when it sat overnight not plugged in. Turn the key and all i hear is "click" kinda like an old ****ty car with a bad cyclinoid or if you had loose terminals and it was making a ****ty connection. So i just kept hittin the key, click, about 5 times then it started up just fine like always. It only clicks one time. No other weird noises. Checked my terminals they are fine. I have no idea what the problem is. It only seems to do it when the truck has been in the cold for an extended period of time.

Any Ideas? Thanks alot

[ttyR2]

I'd have the batteries tested. Could be the starter solenoids as well.

[TD444EVER]

ok i will do that. The starter solenoid was what i originally thought too because of how it sounded. But if I keep hittin the key i get "click click click" each time i turn the key but it will eventually start up just fine. I was always under the impression that if a solenoid was bad then its bad....it cant just pick and choose when it wants to work.... or can they?

[TD444EVER]

another question....i havent got my hands too dirty under the hood yet besides basic maintenance...but lets say the starter solenoid refuses to work and leaves me stranded...can i just turn the key on and cross the terminal with a screwdriver and start it that way like i use to do on my older pickups? and where is the solenoid located if you happen to know off the top of your head

[Young-SC-Owner]

Yes you can, as long as your crossing it on the starter not the Slave solenoid