I've replaced the solenoid a couple times now. I replaced it with both batteries completely out, I put the wires back on exactly how they were (Maybe not correct to begin with). No smoke / burnt electrical smell, so I assume the wires are correct.

This is what happened:

1st start worked when key turned
2nd start nothing, had to cross solenoid terminals
3rd start worked with key
4th start nothing, had to cross solenoid terminals
Went back inside because it's very cold



I can get the truck running 100% of the time but only by crossing the terminals with a screwdriver.

What would cause it to "randomly" work?? I know these things are common to go out... but not this quickly.

 

On the old brick nose trucks, it is very common for the key linkage to get worn out, or you have a bad wire going to the relay on the fender,

 

Is your truck a stick?
I've had issues with the clutch-interlock switch not working all the time. My main rig, I ended up just bypassing the whole thing to a push-button on the dash(from power to the smaller leg of the relay); worked fine for me.
(Note that this also allows me to move the truck slightly with the starter if I want, by leaving it in gear).

 

also if it's an auto safety switch can quit on the trans

 

Mine had the exact same thing, I'd put money on it that it's either park neutral safety switch is bad or out of line.

When you have it in park or drive or any of the positions is the dial lined up properly with the letters?If not it's probably just out of line, even if it is lined up with the letters it still sounds to me like it's probably just out of line. Try moving the shifter *** around while u try to crank it over, when mine was out of line I had to jam it into park to get it aligned. To fix it go under the truck and u will see the linkage, loosen the bolt that's holding the one piece in the slot until whenyou move the shifter *** in the truck through all the gears it's just sliding and not moving the tranny through the gears.
Then move the dial so its right over park and try turning it over, if it doesn't turn over try moving it around slightly to try and find the spot where it will turn over the engine. Once you find the spot keep it as still as possible and go back underneath and tighten the bolt back up. If you can't find the spot with the dial over neutral or park then your switch is probly not working.
But sounds like an alignment issue to me since it works sometimes