Starting Problems

My 6 cyl. EFI 87' F150 requires a jump everytime I want to start it. The battery is good; however, occassionally when I jump it, it makes an irritating clicking/jack hammer sound. I am not truck savy, I think it is the starter. Anyone with other thoughts on what the problem could be?

Loose groud cable, dirty battery connections. Anyway, it is a "bad connection" somewhere.... I think.

The battery connections I can figure out. As my username suggests, I don't know much about engines/electric. This truck is my auto maintenance learning vehicle. I guess I'll try chasing as much of the wiring as I can but could I trouble you for a bit more detail as to what/where the groud cable is? Thanks.

alternator?

Follow the black (-) cable to the engine and frame. Make sure all connection points are clean and tight. Also clean the battery terminals by removing the cables and cleaning everything. If it looks fuzzy/yellow/green/dirty, it needs to be cleaned up.

Yes, if the alternator is bad he would have starting troubles, but I doubt that's it because of the "occasionally" part. But, you never know.

Yes, clean your grounds. Even remove the starter and clean where it mounts to the engine as thats how it gets its ground. Remove the solenopid and clean its back and where it mates on the fender. I beleive you also might have another ground from the battery to the body, I'm not sure in your year but I think you do.
Cheers,
Popa Tim

Try replacing the ignition switch relay. It should be located on the passenger side wall. It almost looks like a mini starter. It is about a twelve dollar part and it takes about five minutes to replace. This happened to me and I tried to jump the car from the relay. Don't do this, for some reason it create more electricial problems.

I have found to always start (no pun intended,lol) with the simple before you go to the drastic. I agree with some of the others, the battery is the problem. I had the same problem, I went to a juck yard and bought a used battery for ten bucks, cleaned the post and inside the cables,Problem solved. Hope this helps.