No Start...not even a click?
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No Start...not even a click?
Ok guys I'm at a loss with my 79. My alternator went out a while back, and one of the neighbors that messes with old trucks said that instead of spending quite a bit of money on a new one...he had a chevy one wire alternator that would work just as good. Truck ran for a week or two and then all of the sudden went to start it and can't even get a click. I used a voltmeter and the battery is showing 12 volts and the cables all are tight. Does anyone have an idea about what to look for? Thanks in advance.
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Have the battery load tested. If that's not possible, you can load test it yourself by having someone else attempt to start the truck while you hold your volt meter on the + and - sides of the battery. If voltage drops below 9.6, you need a new battery. Once you know you have a good battery, you can verify that the solenoid is working by jumping power to the "S" terminal and seeing if you get 12v on the starter side of the solenoid. If you do, and the starter starts cranking, then you need to troubleshoot the circuit from the starter switch to the solenoid. If you do get power on the starter side, but the starter doesn't crank, you need a new starter.
I guess that's the long way of saying that its most likely just a dead battery. You can verify that the alternator is charging after you get it running and have a good battery in it.
Good luck
I guess that's the long way of saying that its most likely just a dead battery. You can verify that the alternator is charging after you get it running and have a good battery in it.
Good luck
Postmaster
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From: Harrisburg, NE
dont rule out that you could have a bad ignition switch or something else unrelated to the alternator. I just put a tranny in my capri (which has a GM alternator) it started three times before i got the same thing, not even a click, it was just the switches "time"
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There could be other problems including the neutral safety switch. Start by using a jumper wire from the battery to the selenoid to see if the engine turns over. If not the problem is between the battery and the selenoid or possibly the selenoid has lost it's ground. Does it have a good ground (tight to the inner fender) ?
Then take a jumper cable and go from the battery to the starter terminal of the selenoid. There will probably be a large spark, but does the starter turn over? You now have a direct connection from the battery to the starter.
My guess with the statemant that there is not even a click is that the problem with the selenoid or the wiring path between the battery and the selenoid.
Then take a jumper cable and go from the battery to the starter terminal of the selenoid. There will probably be a large spark, but does the starter turn over? You now have a direct connection from the battery to the starter.
My guess with the statemant that there is not even a click is that the problem with the selenoid or the wiring path between the battery and the selenoid.
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Try starting in Neutral or even in Drive with your foot on the brake. I agree with checking the NSS.
Josh
Josh
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Doggonit you've got to have a meter to hunt electrical trouble.
Otherwise you are just guessing at it.
The meter will find it for you, no guessing involved at all. :)
While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at CSK Auto
Do yourself a favor...
Get a meter and/or get a friend with a meter to help you with this.
Learn how to use it to find electrical problems.
It ain't that big of a deal.
No friend with a meter?
...get back on here after you buy the meter.
It'll pay for itself the first time so the cost is nothing, it's free. :)
Are you still here? ;)
Alvin in AZ
Otherwise you are just guessing at it.
The meter will find it for you, no guessing involved at all. :)
While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at CSK Auto
Do yourself a favor...
Get a meter and/or get a friend with a meter to help you with this.
Learn how to use it to find electrical problems.
It ain't that big of a deal.
No friend with a meter?
...get back on here after you buy the meter.
It'll pay for itself the first time so the cost is nothing, it's free. :)
Are you still here? ;)
Alvin in AZ
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He said he has a meter. Besides, the meter doesn't tell you anything if you don't know how to use it. Yeah a problem with the alt installation or fusible link may be causing it to not charge or run, but he has to get it to crank before any of that's an issue. If I was shotgunning it, I'd still say battery. Otherwise, solenoid or p/n switch- that's in the circuit I said he'd have to troubleshoot if doesn't have 12v at the "S" terminal when an assistant attempts to start the truck.
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I had a similar prob., I changed everything from new alternator, solenoid, ignition switch, module, U name it.. I was shooting in the dark. U gotta' check with a multi-meter, n' do the firmness test on those fusable links!!! N' plz get rid of that Chevy alternator that's just a disturbing resolution. By the way it was those fusable links that caused me grief all along. Hang in there U'LL get it dude!!
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That's why I asked about what was removed in swapping the GM alternator.
When adapting the Ford 3G alternator, all of the fusible links and voltage regulator are taken out. So, in that sense, it shouldn't be causing the problem.
Josh
When adapting the Ford 3G alternator, all of the fusible links and voltage regulator are taken out. So, in that sense, it shouldn't be causing the problem.
Josh
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Sorry guys haven't been by a computer for a while...I haven't had time to mess with the old truck had too many things goin on, I'll get back to you guys when I get back home and mess with it. When I get time I will check all of this, sorry for leaving you guys hanging like this, but I thank you anyway.
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Ok Took the starter off, it was bad, put the new starter on, still nothing. Put a Ford Alternator on, nothing, Good battery. When I turn the key, none of the dash lights come on, there is no dome light, nothing again. Could it be a bad ignition switch? How do I even check that?