97 Ford Expedition no start just a loud CLUNK Sound

[expedition 22]

Hey Folks ,I have problem with my 97 expedition when I try to start it makes loud Clunk sound. The truck was running a few days ago, but i notice before yesterday that battery is weak at times and truck starts with kinda slow ,but then it starts. Anyway I started to work on my exhaust manifold because of a leak and sounds horrible, before starting on exhaust i disconnected battery both neg and positive cables from battery , then i disconnected the solenoid cable grounded to frame under passenger side. after reconnecting everything back, now the truck wont start, I tried jumping cables but still clunk sound lights in dash works .I took tester and tested battery and it lights, I tested solenoid starter i touch screw on right side and tester lights up but when i touch left side screw no light . my question is it suppsed to light up as well ? I just hope its not starter motor. Need your please thank you for reading.

 

[tonydiv]

My first instinct is to say that it was something that you did, or didn't do, when you were making your repair.

It's important to get voltages, not just test light results, to determine what's going on.

If you were having problems before you disconnected everything, then it may be a coincidence, and the starter is wasted.

 

[stamp11127]

Load test the battery with the old style toaster type tester. If that passes then check to make sure you put all the wires back in the correct place. Then do a voltage drop test from the battery to the starter on both pos and neg cables. Max drop is .5v over total length. If that is in spec then hit the starter with a hammer. I would expect high resistance in your battery cables due to the salty roads during winter.

 

[expedition 22]

Sorry for taking so long I was working on my exhaust manifold , I guess it was my battery I got a new one Die Hard from Sears and it started right up. Thanks for your replies.