So I've been having issues with my truck starting.. first with a click, I've replaced the battery, solenoid, battery cables,and starter. The truck will not turn over only crank now but the click has gone away. while trying to crank it the starter started to make a "grinding" sound but still wouldn't start before this. The only thing that hasn't been replaced is the starter cable could this be the issue? I'm at a loss. Also I did get the truck started earlier by arcing the old solenoid but tried again with the old and new and it wouldn't go. Any help would be great

 

Cables and battery terminals are one of the first things to check/replace.


Do a "voltage drop test" to determine is cables are bad. Look closely at the terminal ends on the starter and ground too. Make sure they are clean and tight. You may want to remove and lightly sand the contact points to ensure good a connection.


Voltage Drop Testing

 

Ok cranking and turning over are the same thing so are we talking a no start issue?


Because you have not replaced the last cable, solenoid to starter I would replace it and if you missed any other replace them also.
Now so you know if you have all the batt. cables right they should go like this.
batt to solenoid> Solenoid to starter.
Don't know if this is right for v8's or not but is right for the six.
Batt to frame then to starter bolt - all 1 cable.
You should also have a smaller (thinner) cable from motor to fire wall and a braded wire from hood to fire wall.


Now is it a no crank/turn over or a no start?
Dave ----

 

The voltage drop test is the only way to tell if cables are bad you can not look at them and tell if bad or not.
If old I just replace them as they are cheap.
Dave ----

 

Yes it won't fire up only crank

 

Ok, now you have to confirm the basics. Spark, fuel, compression and timing.

 

Ok now we are getting somewhere.
We need it to turn over = check.


Do we have fuel? Motor off pull the air filter off, hold open the choke now when looking into the open carb give it some throttle. You should see fuel squirt, if not you need to find out why.


Do we have spark? Pull the wire from the dist cap that is from the coil and hold it 1/8" from a good ground like the block or intake and crank the motor. You should see good spark and most of the time hear a snap. If no spark you will need to find out why.
Dave ----