Hey yall, having a no start issue that I have not seen on here before.

Here is a little history: Got home from a trip Sunday, shut the truck off and unloaded. Went back out to Monday morning and it was a no start first try (didnt even turn the starter), then cranked right up on the 2nd attempt. Cranked fine again when i headed home.
Next morning got in the truck and again a no start. Didnt have time to mess with it, so I hopped in the jeep i just towed back and went to work.
Both Batteries are new
one alternator is less than a year old

Here is everything I checked / tried last night:
- cleaned terminals
- cleaned contacts on starter
- cleaned ground contact on motor
- checked all fuses
- cleaned contacts on clutch switch
- checked connections at ignition switch
- jumped batteries from wifes truck
- lightly tapped starter with a hammer while Jenn attempted to start the truck for me

is it possible for the starter to just crap out like that?
is there a seperate starter solinoid that I am not aware of? (Like the older ford gas motors)
could it be the circular contact ring on the steering wheel? (cant think of the name off hand)

Is there any reason I should suspect the chip?
I have had a few instances where the chip will put itself in the no start mode and run the fuel dry after it has been put into a tune, anyone else experienced this?

I figure tonight I will take the batteries, both alternators and the starter over to have them tested...should be fun

Thanks in advance for all of yalls help. I know yall will walk me through this!

 

I would start with removing the chip just to take care of that variable. Yes, the cable can come loose and cause intermittent no-start issues.

 

will it show that it is in a tune even if the cable comes loose?
I will definitely try this first, just wonderin

 

I don't think the tuner will display anything if loose but I could be wrong. I don't have the truck at work today to verify that though.

 

have you checked to see if you are getting voltage to the starter? if not it could be your neutral safety switch or solenoid. If you have good power to the starter motor it is most likely the starter.

 

will check that as well this afternoon.
im assuming the key needs to be in the on position to check?
is there any danger in arc'ing the solenoid to check that as well?

 

Well, after testing everything on the truck the problem is solved.
For some reason I was under the impression that the starter solenoid was on the starter plunger on this truck. Guess I thought the diesel would be different.
Turns out there is a solenoid mounted on the passenger side front fender.
I do now have very clean contacts and block ground, as well as brand new body grounds, a clean clutch switch, a few new fuses, a new 3rd brake bulb, and a much better understanding of the starting system on these trucks.

Thanks again for all of yalls help with this.