What you did is fine, but what I was talking about is the battery's internal components can go bad. Have you had the battery tested for under load amp performance? I've had new battery's go bad early due to internal cell problems. Worth checking!!

 

Thanks.

I'll give that a try, and I'll try the smacking the starter as suggested.

I get the feeling that no one here thinks that the clutch/starter safety switch can be the issue, since no one has mentioned it.

I actually found one at a local dealer, but perhaps I will hold off on buying it until I can get the battery tested. Personally, I would rather replace that than trying to replace the starter. Whoever designed this truck didn't think about accessing the starter. There is no easy way to do it. Perhaps I'll break down and have it towed into someone and let them fight with it.

Thanks.

Daryl

 

Well, I am almost ready to give up.

I've tested the battery, and it tested fine. I went and bought over $200 worth of parts, but I may not be able to use them.

I decided to buy the clutch/starter safety switch, but I doubt that I will use it. It sounds as if everyone is pointing to the starter/solenoid as being the problem. I spoke to a friend of mine, who also feels that its the starter/solenoid. So, I went an bought a starter/solenoid too.

The problem is, as I've mentioned before, the starter is a bitch to get to. I can't reach it from above, I have to get to it from below. I can reach the bolts, but just barely. I can get a socket on, but there is no room to turn the ratchet. Using a universal & all of my extensions, I'm able to get the ratchet up high enough so I can work on it from above. But, I just can't get the bolt to break free. I sprayed some penetrating break free on it. (Well sort of) I had difficulties doing that too. I'm going to give that some time to work, then try it again. If I still can't get it, then I'll break down and have someone tow it in and let them work on it.

Thanks for all of the help and advice.

Daryl

 

I had the same problem and took it to our mechanic here at the farm at KSU. I thought it was the safety switch too but it ended up being the starter. He replaced the starter and the wire and it worked wonderfully. I've pulled the starter a few times doing other projects on the truck and it can be a pain, especially connecting the wires on there. I'm surprised how many things actually have to work for these newer trucks to start. Sometimes I miss my old trucks when it comes to things like this.

 

Well, I thought that I would give an update on this project. The only thing that I can say at this moment is: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

To recap: When I first started this thread, I said that I suspected the Clutch/starter safty switch. But, with advice from several sources, not just this forum, I decided to go with the starter. Actually, it really seemed more logical that the starter would be the problem and not the switch.

I had bought both a starter and switch, but took the switch back because I had decided that it was most likely the starter that went bad. Well, after a couple of days of fighting with the starter, I gave up. I just couldn't get that POS out. I'm not one to "give up", but I know my limitations, and I realized that I will just have to break down and call a mechanic.

I had them tow it in this morning. I already had the starter, and had them install the new one, and guess what, it didn't start. They ran a diagnostic on it, and it came back with, (most likely culprit) the Clutch/starter safety switch. However, he did say that it could also be the computer. All he could really determine was that its something in the switch circuitry and that he couldn't be sure until he got a switch and tested it.

Without the proper diagnostic tools, I really couldn't be sure and I had to take a gamble. When I was doing my trouble shooting, I had to be able to go by on what I could hear, and what I was experiencing. I pretty much flipped a coin and chose heads when I should have chose tails.

He also told me that he wasn't surprised that I was having so much trouble pulling out that stater. He said that other vehicles are even worse. I think that he said that the book on an Oldsmobile is 6.5 hours to change a starter. Just isn't like it was when I was a kid. Working on cars back then was so much easier. I guess maybe from here on out I take it in.

Thanks for the help. I'll post a follow up when I get more info.

Daryl