I looked at the connectors on my starter solenoid and decided they need to be brushed and cleaned. The solenoid had a nice plastic cap over the connectors but its not exactly waterproof.

I saw TWO bolts holding the starter to the engine but I did not wan't to get my hands dirty and feel around for more...

So this leads to this question:

How many bolts hold the starter on the engine on a 1999 5.4L engine?

 

Just the 2 I think.

 

There should be two 13mm bolts, one on top, one in the middle towards the outside of the wheel well, and one 13mm stud on the bottom that the ground cable bolts to.

 

I was afraid you were going to say something like that.

I counted the stud as a bolt so there is one bolt I can't see on top of the starter and that location did not look very "wrench-friendly".

Thanks for the information.

 

That bolt is easiest to access through the wheel well with a long (about 20" or so) 3/8 extension and a 13mm swivel socket. I use a 3/8 impact wrench, zip and it's out.

 

Thanks Quintin. I will put a 20" extension on my wish list.

 

Well, the deed is done. I cleaned the starter with some engine degreaser and used electrical cleaner on the terminals and wire connections. The connectors were not as bad as I thought they would be. I had a couple of 10 inch extensions that I put together to reach that top bolt thru the wheel well. Thank God I had some 12 point metric box wrenchs also.

Thanks again for all of your advice, Quintin.

 

Cool. I love a happy ending.