2013 Mustang GT starter solenoid?

Hi everyone, I believe I am having an issue with my starter solenoid.

I drove my car to and from work today, parked it and it started to hail. I parked it under a tree and when the hail and rain stopped, moved it to my drive way. Packed it up for a fishing trip, and went to start it and nothing. One click. The fuel pump turned on and nothing, no rapid clicks, no starter noise, just a fuel pump noise and one small click.

Researching I came up with a starter solenoid. Where is this located on my car? Got 145,000 miles on it now.

Does this sound right? Where is it located?

Edit: after trying to troubleshoot before I researched, the theft light was blinking a lot when trying to start. We tried rolling starts (my dad and I) and parked it down my street. Came back an hour and a half later just to try it before the tow came and it started. I drove it around a bit and turned it off. Went to start it maybe 2 minutes later and same issue, nothing at all.

Wtf. It starts perfect with my other key. Like how.....

evanjp,

Lol. Life can be like that ...

The key can get forgetful or corrupted if dropped enough times. Maybe you could try reprogramming the key using your spare as the master? Worth a try.

HTH,

Chris

If its a manual trans it could be the clutch switch located on the pedal itself

Update: drove on fishing trip this morning with the spare key. When I got to the spot, I tried starting it with my normal key, which is the one that wasn't working, and it started up. 3 times in a row. It then started up with that key when I left and then again after I left another spot. I got gas on my way home and it didn't start with my normal key again. Had to use the spare.

There's a vertical line towards the back 1/3 of the key that looks to be worn on my normal key but the spare it's much more of a pronounced line. Could this be the problem?

Looks like I may need new keys.

nyuk98GT said:

evanjp,

Lol. Life can be like that ...

The key can get forgetful or corrupted if dropped enough times. Maybe you could try reprogramming the key using your spare as the master? Worth a try.

HTH,

Chris

Click to expand...

How would I go about reprogramming?

evanjp,

There is a procedure for reprogramming (Ford) keys (like when you get a spare key made) on YouTube. I am sure somebody on this forum has posted a how-to (maybe not a dedicated how-to) so poke around for it/them. I'll work in parallel and see if i can dig up any applicable threads.

***edit***
I found a thread on another forum where the poster said you need two working keys to reprogram a third one (to prevent a thief from cutting a key and programming it). He reported that there's a programming method in the Owner's Manual. If you only have one owrking key then you have to pay the dealer to do the reprogramming.
***end of edit***

Chris

honestly it sounds like your battery and/or alternator is getting weak. usually it starts clicking if your battery doesnt have enough juice to turn it over.

at least worth looking into.