'96 150, 302 M5OD.
Rig can sit for 3-4 weeks, and start right up. Run few miles to store, come out, nothing but loud click. Clutch start it to get home where it sits for 2 weeks. Starts right up, only to repeat the no start situation.
New battery, after someone helped themselves to my old one.
(The cut the cables about 8" from the batt hot side, so I got one of those brass cable splices...) I just ordered new hot cable from R/A, btw.
New batt terminals and starter bench tests good at Advanced.


Still no start, just a loud click at the fender switch....

 

So the solenoid is clicking on the passenger fender. But no noise from the starter?

My guess it needs a starter. Typically when they get hot is when the no crank issue rears its head.

 

Spose after the new hot cable, a starter is next on the menu, then. Tx for the response, Freightrain.

 

Starter tests good and fender mounted solenoid clicks. I would check that wire that runs from the fender mounted solenoid to the solenoid on top of the starter. Also try bridging the two large posts on the fender mounted solenoid with something metal.

 

so forgot to mention, that after the starter 'tested ok', I went and bought a new fender mount relay... If that makes a difference in this scenario.

 

Check/clean the ground at the engine block.

 

Did you bench test the starter after removing it from the truck while it was hot? If not, it's a meaningless test.

 

Starter has been cold for every test/repair/attempt to start to this point. Battery charger, 2a trickle. 10a reg, and boost. Then, jump start with Explorer with new jumper cables... when weather straightens out, will put on new hot cable, and look into new starter. (Bad heart, and copd, I can only hit it when I can git it...) Thanks to all for the info.