Help Needed - Won't Start

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Mar 19, 2016 | 09:23 PM

Littlejon

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From: Reidsville, NC

Help Needed - Won't Start

So I stopped at Walmart tonight to get groceries and when I came out the truck wouldn't start. Lights all came on, radio, everything, but when I turned the key, nothing happened. No clicking, nothing.

I assumed a bad battery since I bought this used and had no idea what was in it. I changed it out with a brand new battery and still nothing. All lights come on, but when I turn the key, everything goes off but no start.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Mar 19, 2016 | 10:01 PM

Bluegrass 7

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If you hear a click, the starter likely has worn bushes that are not in firm contact with the starter motor armature.
Good luck.

Mar 19, 2016 | 10:45 PM

Littlejon

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From: Reidsville, NC

No click. Nothing at all. I was under it when someone was turning the switch tapping on the starter and it wasn't making a sound.

I am going to try moving the shifter to make sure it isn't something there and also try a few things with the anti theft mess in the switch. I will leave the battery terminals off for a few minutes, too, just to see if something resets.

If that doesn't work, then I don't know what to do.

Mar 19, 2016 | 11:27 PM

Bluegrass 7

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The start power comes through a fuse, through the ignition switch, through the transmission selector switch in either Park or Neutral, then to the start relay on the fire wall.
Check this circuit out with a voltmeter.
First try a jumper from the hot battery lead to the start terminal to see if the start relay operates.
If yes, does the starter engage the motor?
If yes, there is no issue there and the start circuit is open or missing power for some reason.
If no the starter is faulty.
It's not a big mystery to check this out.
Good luck.

Mar 20, 2016 | 11:32 AM

Littlejon

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From: Reidsville, NC

I am on my way to check this out. Hoping for a bad relay, but replacing the starter won't be a big deal if that is what it is. Thanks for the help and I will update once I know more.

Mar 20, 2016 | 12:28 PM

projectSHO89

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From: St Louis

Whoa!

Read this CAREFULLY, it's an if/then statement....

If all the lights (that normally stay on during a starting attempt) go out when you try to engage the starter, you have a bad battery cable or connection, assuming the replacement battery is good. It's NOT the starter motor.

Mar 20, 2016 | 02:41 PM

Littlejon

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From: Reidsville, NC

It was the relay. I feel REALLY stupid now. I had an '84 F-150 that had the solenoid on the fender and was painfully obvious what it was. If it went out, you jump it and go on down the road. I didn't even bother to look on the firewall last night, I just assumed they no longer had one and put it on the starter. When I crawled under and saw one on the starter I thought that was verified.

So I go today and followed what Bluegrass said and immediately knew what it was and how dang dumb I had been. I checked it and nothing was coming through on the meter, so I knew what it was. Jumped it and it cranked right up. Went home, pulled that puppy off, put a new on on from the auto parts store and she cranks like a champ. $20 fix after a night of making it WAY more complicated than it should have been.

Thanks for the help!