Hey all- first post here.

My '98 SR5 (60,000 mi) has a starter that spins but does not engage the flywheel. Upon further inspection, it seems that red transmission fluid is leaking onto the wire harness connecting the battery to the starter. There is considerable corrosion occuring on the wire harness. I expect this to be the source of the problem, not the starter itself.
Does anyone have experience with this problem? Is it common? Will the fix mean that I need to get into the transmission (probably), but how deep?

Any info is greatly appreciated.
TIA.

j.T

It will depend on where it's leaking from. I'm not very experienced with transmissions -- last time I worked on one (20 years ago), it got so messed up that I had to take it to a pro to fix my mess.

My guess -- since the starter is trying to engage, it clearly is getting power. I'd suspect that the corrosion on the wiring is not the problem, but a problem about to happen. The problem you wrote about could be a bad starter (seen if on Fords before) or bad brushes inside the starter.

Thanks for the reply.
Upon further inspection, I have found that the corrosion was minor and wiped right off the wiring. The actual problem did turn out to be the starter. As I turned off the engine (and removed the key from the ignition) during a test, the motor began to crank on its own until I could get to the 10mm wrench and unhook the battery cable.
I removed the starter and took it to Autozone to have it tested. It tested fine, but it was on its way to failing permenantly. I replaced it and it functions normally now.
As for the leaking fluid, that it still to be determined. Its directly under the main seal (oil leak) and the water pump (radiator fluid).
I'll search for that problem shortly.
Its been a great truck.