Hello,
2003 Navi loaded. I turn the key this morning & truck is completely dead. So dead, the keyless remote wont even work. No dome light...nothing.
A relay in the rear right was clicking in unison with the red alarm light on the dash. I disconnect the battery terminals & clean them with a wire brush & reconnect them. I connect my battery charger to the battery & the needle goes to about 8 & immediatly starts dropping so it looks like the battery is taking a charge. This battery is just 1 year old by the way. I flip the charge switch to start & try to start the truck, & the dash lights are going crazy & there is a loud repeated clicking which sounds like the starter. The headlights flash in unison with the clicking sound. I have not yet tried to jump the car as no one else is home.
I tried to give the starter a whack but I cant really get to it to do so.
The wipers, windows, everything works but I cant get it to crank.
I have been having a problem with the passenger side automated running boards, where it is rubbing on the body & wont come out all the way, them wont go in all the way. I wonder if the running board motor was stuck trying to get the board in all night & perhaps that drained the battery? I need to fix this too. Is there an adjustment that I can do under the truck to lower the running board?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
John

 

Bump......

 

You apparently have a dead short in the system. I suggest that you get under the truck enough to disconnect the power to the running board motor. Charge the battery for at least an hour and try to start it again. If it starts and the clicking sound is gone you will have diagnosed your problem.
While you are under the truck look for the mounting bolts that hold the running board up and see if you can loosen them enough to be able to lower the board and free it up.

 

Your starter is internally shorted. If you want confirmation, first disconnect your battery, then disconnect the big red wire going to the starter, reconnect the battery, then try starting it. I'm willing to bet the headlights stop blinking.

 

It was the battery. I replace it. Hopefully it still has a charge in the morning!

 

At only 1-year old? That's real odd.