Looking for some advice. I usually post elsewhere for my '50 but have had a recurring problem with my '94. Turn the key and one click - then nothing. All power gone, dead everywhere. Last time it fried the radio.

I've checked the connection at the battery - clean and tight. I replaced the solenoid. That took care of the problem for about four months then the same problem again.

Any advice would be appreciated, I need to get this running again and don't have the money to send it to the shop. Details - inline 6, original starter. No slow turning or dragging - either it works fine or one click and nothing.

Thanks

 

Many times the cables get corroded under the sheathing. Sometimes the starter works, other times it does not. I would start by thoroughly inspecting the positive and negative cables. Many times I have found the negative cable itself or connector at the battery compromised on these older trucks.

 

Thanks - it was the ground to the frame (I hope) along with a spent battery. I'm just used to slow starting when a battery goes bad. Not full power to nothing. Lights, buzzers, etc all fine, turn the key and everything dies.

Seems to be working now. Thanks

 

The frame ground is only used for trailer towing. The main ground goes to the engine block and body. For starting issues the engine ground is the main culprit.

The last few battery failures I have had were sudden, no warning whatsoever. Shorted cell in the battery. You never know.