Truck Won't Start
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: USA
Truck Won't Start
OK guy's...here's a tricky one for you. Went out to start my truck today, and all I got was a click from the solenoid. I can't figure out what the hell it is. The truck was fine and then this problem out of the blue. Most of the electrical system is new, new starter, altenator, starter solenoid, battery, voltage regulator, and cables. This happened to me last week, but it turned out that the positive battery cable was a little loose. I tightened it up and the truck started fine. Today, I took apart all my connections, and re-tightened them. I took the starter out and made sure the ground was good there, and put it back in. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the heat from my headers screwed up the starter. I replaced the starter in October. Could the heat mess it up that fast?
I've got a lifetime warranty on the starter, so I am going to pull it on Monday and get it tested. If its busted I'll get a replacement, along with a heat shield. Can anyone think of what else might be my problem? Thanks.
Brendan
1977 F-250 4x4
351M / 4 Speed
33" BFG Tires
www.angelfire.com/ma4/1977fordf250
I've got a lifetime warranty on the starter, so I am going to pull it on Monday and get it tested. If its busted I'll get a replacement, along with a heat shield. Can anyone think of what else might be my problem? Thanks.
Brendan
1977 F-250 4x4
351M / 4 Speed
33" BFG Tires
www.angelfire.com/ma4/1977fordf250
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
Truck Won't Start
The battery didnt go dead on you did it? Usually when the relay clicks it is a low battery. But also could be a bad starter, I dont know how quick the headers heat will kill them I guess it depends on the starter.
Only other thought is a bad ground but you said you checked them...so either a dead battery or bad starter is a good guess.
Have you tried jumping the start relay to see if the starter turns? Unhook the wire from the starter to the start relay and touch it to the battery positive wire on the start relay... momentarily. If the starter turns the relay is not closing even though it is clicking.
Sparky
Only other thought is a bad ground but you said you checked them...so either a dead battery or bad starter is a good guess.
Have you tried jumping the start relay to see if the starter turns? Unhook the wire from the starter to the start relay and touch it to the battery positive wire on the start relay... momentarily. If the starter turns the relay is not closing even though it is clicking.
Sparky
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 3
From: Lincoln USA
Truck Won't Start
Try a jumper wire across the the connections on your solenoid, the BIG terminals. Watch for sparks. If the engine starts, you could have a bad solenoid or faulty ignition switch. Solenoids run about $7, so it won't cost much to replace it. Somebody else can probably tell you how to check the ignition switch. If it still won't start, then your first guess is probably correct: The headers fried your starter. 
Pullit out and take it to a parts store to have it tested. Even if it checks out OK, put a heat sheild on it when you reinstall it.
Pullit out and take it to a parts store to have it tested. Even if it checks out OK, put a heat sheild on it when you reinstall it.
