Hi all!,
I used the truck to splash my boat on a Saturday, was going to pull it out Monday morning but it wouldn't start. (boat ramp is within walking distance from home) Thought it might be battery issue, so put a trickle charger on it (used different vehicle to get boat), I ended going out of town for 3 weeks after that and the trickle charger was on it the entire time. Still won't start. Things I've done or noticed during my limited troubleshooting:
* meter reads 13v when first checked
* turning key on, all normal bells/whistles/lights come on, meter drops to 11.9 while glow plugs/vacuum pump runs... then goes back to 12.4
* key to start, no sound of starter trying, and meter does not drop like a load is on batteries
* key to start also radio resets.

any pointers on where to look next would be very appreciated

 

Handshaker or automatic? First and easiest thing to try is the neutral safety switch, try moving the shifter into neutral if it's an AT. There is a starter relay on the passenger's side fender, I have a small wire (like 12 Ga) with alligator clips on each end and you can jump that starter relay from the battery to the small lug on it (NOT the large lugs) and see if that spins 'er over. It should at least make that relay click. You can also jump the large lugs with a big screwdriver. Try them and report back.

 

sorry... automatic... and I did try wiggling the shifter and also putting it in N to try to start. I will go try the jumper now... brb

 

BINGO!... put key to 'ON', and used a jumper from +POS batt to the 'upper/forward' post on starter motor relay, engine fired right up!

AWESOME!!!! THANK YOU!!!! stopped and restarted.. no joy, will purchase new one ASAP.

Any recommendations on replacement or just whatever AutoZone/Advance/NAPA sells???

 

Just because you jumped the relay and it started doesn't deem it bad yet. Do you have power to the small lug when you try to start it with the key? If not then you have other issues. Did you try and jump power from the battery to the small lug that comes from the key? If you do this and it wont start then it is the relay as long as the small ground wire on the relay is good.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^ what he says.

 

I think you are correct... just replaced the relay and it still doesn't start. of the two main lugs on the relay, one has 12v all the time, the other never does. if i jumper the one that doesn't to the battery, the truck starts. these two lugs connect to a sorta 'Y' plug, the one that has 12v also has 2 other ring terminals on it and the 3rd small post on the relay has a 'push-on' style plug

 

Next thing to do is check fuse #20, it should get powered when ignition is turned to 'start'. It sits between your ignition switch and that small lug on your relay in the wiring. You should also be able to jump from your battery to that small lug on the relay and activate the relay and start the truck.

 

I thought I had checked that before, but maybe so.. maybe not... I found it was blown, not sure if it was from me changing the relay or not.. either way, i replaced the 15A mini and everything appears to be working normally. Only cycled it twice before the skies opened up, will verify again after the rain. Thanks Walleye Hunter and Chevota 72!

 

I have started several times over a couple of days, everything is good again.. except for the socket that fell somewhere while changing the relay... i think it will be a MIA...

Thanks again for the help!

 

I love happy endings. ;-)

I'm just repeating what I have heard from here but the fuel bowl heater is on the same circuit as the ignition. If it blows again that may be worth looking into.
Good luck finding the socket.