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Truck has sat for two years and it was running. Now I can’t get it to start. The issues start with turning the key and nothing happens, not even lights or the dash working. I can bypass that if I leave the key in the on position and jump the solenoid. Then everything starts to work while I hold the bypass. The truck still will not start however. I replaced the spark plugs at depth of .044-.046. I am also unsure if that is the correct depth but I found that measurement online. I replaced the fuel filter and the battery and it will turn over but it won’t start. Anyone have any ideas on what to check next? I’m getting a compression tester tomorrow to check the compression.
I replaced the fender mounted solenoid and nothing worked. I couldn’t even bypass it. My assumption is incorrect or bad solenoid.
Last edited by farmtruckbeater; Apr 2, 2023 at 03:59 PM.
Reason: Additional info
How are you bypassing the solenoid? The last thing you did was replace the solenoid and battery? As of right now, will the engine turn over but not start?
So I take a screwdriver or anything really that will reach and touch the two poles of the solenoid and hold it and it will run the starter motor. I replaced the solenoid and then it would not let me bypass the ignition inside the cab anymore. I used to be able to try and turn it over with the key in the cab but that no longer works and the dash does not show battery level or any other gauges like they used to.
You might have the solenoid hooked up incorrectly?
The little wire goes to S not I (if it has two small terminals)
What do you mean "would not let me' "bypass the ignition in the cab"
Might as well fix that too
If you have no battery voltage or gauges when you turn the key, you either have a bad connection at the battery, ignition switch or the switch is no good?
You have some more diagnosis to do
on a three terminal starter relay, all wires except for the one to starter, and the one with press on end go to the large terminal with the battery positive lead. the press on wire goes to the small terminal. the wire to starter goes to the other large terminal..
if it is a 4 terminal relay, the press on wire goes to the small terminal marked "S"
I had similar issues on my 1996. I could start the engine with a screwdriver like you and used starting fluid to get it to fire up for a couple of seconds but it wouldn't keep running. I replaced the fuel pumps first (mine is EFI, your 87 may have a carburetor) and then followed it up with a new starter solenoid which made the truck start instantly. It seems as though corrosion had stopped the solenoid from mechanically opening which was easily bypassed by the screwdriver. It sounds like you have the same problem.
In addition to the above advice, I would clean the electrical connections at the battery, fender mounted solenoid (relay), main battery to engine block ground and starter connections. Here's a picture from the internet of what wires go where.
So update plus more information. Originally I had power to the inside of the cab but turning the key would NOT do anything. I then tried to replace the three pole solenoid mounted on the fender. It is the solenoid that has a pole for the negative and positive and a smaller s pole on top of it where a red wire connects. Upon replacing that I lost all power to the inside of the cab and I was unable to bypass the ignition switch like I was previously able. I put the old solenoid back on and was able to bypass it again but there is still no power to the inside of the cab, ie the gauges, lights, wipers. I’ve checked all fuses are good. There is power reaching everything inside the engine bay but it still won’t start up. A side note is that I got a code reader, plugged it in but it won’t read any codes either. I’m thinking a bad solenoid, fuel pump(s), ignition switch. Anyone else have any ideas? I also think when I took off the wire going to the S on the solenoid I may have broken it internally or damaged it in some way.
The engine is a 5.0 V8.
In addition to the above advice, I would clean the electrical connections at the battery, fender mounted solenoid (relay), main battery to engine block ground and starter connections. Here's a picture from the internet of what wires go where.
hey so does the accessories wiring have to go on the positive terminal? My solenoid when it was originally setup has the accessories wiring on that side of the solenoid but it was the negative wire attached to it not the positive. And it was connected to the same bundle that went to the starter.
If your wires are on the wrong side of the starter relay you won't have power to the circuits that are supposed to be energized there. I think you may be experiencing the loss of power because you have things on the wrong side of the relay. The video in the previous post is pretty clear. Make sure it is wired as described and see if your power comes back. Then, you can figure out if your fuel pump is working and pressurizing the fuel rail, etc., etc.
