99 Ford F150XL 4.2L 6... Looking for suggestions on removing the starter from the engine compartment... the spot the starter is in is big enough to turn the starter every which way after dismounting it from the engine, but getting it out of that tiny area is turning into a real beast... the starter can be rotated in all directions, but then everything else is in the way of removing it from the engine compartment... can probably remove the solenoid in that spot and get it out, solenoid is small enough and may be the problem anyway, but the starter has a flange-like fitting on the end that joins to the engine, and it is to big, too wide and tall, to allow the starter to be moved out of that small area... maybe somone has been through this before... wanted to check here before I have to start taking everything apart... anyway, any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance, and have a great day/week/weekend/holiday season!!...[/align]

 

you definantly need a ratchet wrench with extension, once you get the starter out test it with a pair of jumper cables and your battery before buying a new one. It should click and the gear should spin.