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Started, ran, won't start now

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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 05:59 AM
  #1  
seangoodwin's Avatar
seangoodwin
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From: Morgantown, WV
Started, ran, won't start now

Here are the details:
1. Truck sat for 9 hours yesterday in 20 degree cold
2. Started right up and drove it about 200 yards to the bank. Turned it off.
3. Came back out 2 minutes later and the truck won't start. All the lights are working but it won't even begin to crank. It acts like it has a dead battery.
4. So I tried jumping it. Nothing. I put in another battery. Nothing. Maybe the computer didn't have enough time to "wake up"???
5. Had the neg cable off for 20 minutes and put it back on. Nothing.

If I had a frozen fuel line, would it at least crank? I'm down to a 1/4 tank of gas (shame).

I'm out of ideas and ready to call the wrecker. ANY IDEAS??? Truck is stuck here at work so I'm limited on tools.
Thanks guys.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 06:04 AM
  #2  
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Sounds as though it is not in park if this is an automatic transmission. Try moving to neutral position or back to park and let us know.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 07:59 AM
  #3  
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seangoodwin
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Hi, no luck. I've had that happen before so that's the first thing I tried. Several times. The sun is out and the neg cable has been off for a couple hours so I'm going to go try again.

Any other ideas???? I really hate to pay that wrecker and mechanic!
Thanks.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 08:07 AM
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Are you getting any clicks under the hood? Have you looked at the starter motor? They are known for failing terminals, rot right away. Let us know.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 08:21 AM
  #5  
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seangoodwin
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From: Morgantown, WV
Just tried again and no luck. The only "click" is when I turn the key. One click each time. Not a "click click click".

I tried putting in neutral and drifting back just a bit and then I put it back in Park. Still nothing.

Neg battery cable was disconnected for 2 hours.

If you can tell me what and Where to look for it I can go have another look. It's about 18 degrees outside and I'm at work so I'm a bit limited.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 11:47 AM
  #6  
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Do you have any mechanic buddies? You need to look at the starter motor. There are wires going to it and see if any are broken off. Let us know. Good luck.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 12:16 PM
  #7  
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seangoodwin
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I know that when it's not all the way in PARK, the truck does the exact same thing. Is there a shift pin or something that could be bent?

Any easy way to get in and look at it?

I just checked all the connects and everything appears to be connected an not corroded as far as I can tell.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 01:27 PM
  #8  
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From: Rocky Mountains
Makes sure all connections to the starter relay, located on the driver's side on inside of fender, are secure and firm. Make sure the starter relay is grounded securely to the inside of fender. My Haynes manual says you can check the starter motor by checking the starter relay contacts. To do this, momentarily jumper across the two large terminals with red wires at the starter relay. Caution: Use a jumper with same size wire or larger. If the starter operates, the starter relay is good, and the trouble must be with the starter solenoid; replace the starter. If the starter still does not operate, replace the starter relay. Hope this helps get you started and on your way home. I wouldn't replace anything until you have thoroughly checked the neutral start position on the transmission selector, the ignition switch, or for open or loose connections in the starting circuit wiring.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 01:36 PM
  #9  
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Donald Rohret
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From: Rocky Mountains
I just realized you have an auto-tran. Should be in Park to start, not neutral. Good Luck.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2004 | 12:26 PM
  #10  
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From: Morgantown, WV
Finally got it fixed. It was the connection between the battery cable and the starter. The nut on the starter was tight but a bit of slack had developed so it wasn't getting full contact. So sayeth the mechanic. It's running fine now. Thanks for all the feedback.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2004 | 01:25 PM
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Keep on trucking, nice to hear you got the fix. Later!
 
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