Possible Starter or Ignition Switch?
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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Happened to me a few months ago. Would just click sometimes. Crawl underneath and tug the wires that connect to the starter. Make sure that they are crimped good and tight. Turned out one of the wires had worked its way loose, and it pulled right out. Crimped it back together, and haven't had any trouble since.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
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From: Rochester, MN
jim
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
Time for basic trouble shooting. Do you have a voltmeter or test light? Next time it doesn't start, jumper S term on starter relay to pos batt and feel if relay closes. If it does, jumper pos batt to starter lead. That will narrow it down a bit. If those fail it has to be the starter wire or starter. If those work, then you have to trace back towards ign switch. Observe all safety precautions!
Edit: I type slow
Edit: I type slow
mention that it is so old that when I was "barely" re-tightening the connections this am after cleaning them, a small piece of the relay body
broke off!)
Jim
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
Happened to me a few months ago. Would just click sometimes. Crawl underneath and tug the wires that connect to the starter. Make sure that they are crimped good and tight. Turned out one of the wires had worked its way loose, and it pulled right out. Crimped it back together, and haven't had any trouble since.
big $ for a starter I will definitely recheck them.
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 177
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next time it clicks when you turn the key on. Have a buddy hold the key to the start pos. while you give the starter some taps with a hammer. if it cranks you got a bad starter. be carefull though. do not hold the key to the start pos longer than about 5-6 secs because the wire will start to melt, from heat. i have diagnosed alot of things with a crowbar and hammer. haha but thats just me. starting system on these trucks are soo basic. dont overthink this.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
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From: Rochester, MN
Well it did it this morning and I got my DW to help. Not sure if she was
actually trying to crank it? (she said she was) but it didn't crank. Sooo
I think we will bite the bullet and replace the starter this weekend. (Guy
at work who used to work at a dealership said to "quit messin around and
just get another starter" ;-)
Jim
actually trying to crank it? (she said she was) but it didn't crank. Sooo
I think we will bite the bullet and replace the starter this weekend. (Guy
at work who used to work at a dealership said to "quit messin around and
just get another starter" ;-)
Jim
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
today and we were able to jump the relay/solenoid with my jumper
cables. It started to turn over but starter was dragging real bad. My
friend thinks I just need to get another starter.
Jim
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 71
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From: Rochester, MN
Happy to report that I was able to successfully change out my starter
Saturday! Now, hopefully I won't here the dreaded "click" again ;-)
Bad news is I *really* need to have my oil pan gasket replaced...it is
blown out in several places, one of which is right above the starter ;-(
Jim
Saturday! Now, hopefully I won't here the dreaded "click" again ;-)
Bad news is I *really* need to have my oil pan gasket replaced...it is
blown out in several places, one of which is right above the starter ;-(
Jim
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