Engine will not crank sometimes

[Cincinnati Guy]

Im really not sure what it could be. Sometimes though when I start my truck the first few flicks of the ignition key switch all I get is a click. I turn it off try again, maybe try a few more times then it will start cranking. What can I do to trouble shoot what could be wrong? Really dont feel like throwing parts at it this time.

 

[gonecrazyi]

Bad grounds on the battery or dirty terminals would be my guess. that's what mine does when it starts acting like what your is doing.

 

[Jbevs]

Mine does that, and I decided a while ago it was the little piece in the steering column that needs greased every now and again or some such. I intend to put a switch in to engage the starter....sometime.......

 

[flareside_thun]

Could also be the starter mounted solenoid. They tend to do that when they get wet.

 

[alienturtle]

starter mounted solenoid..

my guess as well.. start with cleaning all of your batt connections. What happens inside is the 2 large contacts build up crap on them from arching on and off. so when you do it a couple times it makes it past the crap and starts. they are super cheap at the local auto parts store. If you are getting a click every time i would say your key is ok.

 

[Cincinnati Guy]

Ill check all my connections, could the fender mounted solenoid be going bad?

 

[flareside_thun]

Yes, definitely....

 

[Goofyexponent]

When it does the clicking thing, cross the fender mounted solenoid and see if it clicks again. If it still clicks, you have either dirty battery contacts, dirty starter contacts or a bad starter mounted solenoid......or a bad starter. My guess is bad contacts. Clean them up....free fix!!! lol.

If that doesn't work, let us know and we can start spending some $$ for you!!

 

[Cincinnati Guy]

All of my battery contacts seem good. I did notice my ground on the driver side seemed a little warm. I also noticed the write wire from the fender solenoid to the glow plugs gets warm. Ill go jump it over via the fender mounted solenoid and see.

 

[rhkcommander]

key ignition or relay...

easy test. when it doesnt wanna, go up to the relay and engage it manually and if it turns then its your key/wiring. I hooked a pushbutton up to my starter relay to allieviate pressure on my ignition and that cast wishbone that actuates it in the column.

I don't think a pushbutton makes it any less safe. The same thing could be done with a knife

 

[idi traveler]

sense you live in cold country and where they use salt on the roads go through all of you connections from batt to starter on the pos and ground side and clean every thing to shiny metal and apply a conductive paste to every connection. Including batt terms and starter connections. Then if it doesn't start and still clicks? Replace what ever you find bad, solenoid or started. After that you will have peace of mind when it come to your connections.

 

[alienturtle]

key ignition or relay...

easy test. when it doesnt wanna, go up to the relay and engage it manually and if it turns then its your key/wiring.

If he jumps the starter solenoid and it starts that does not mean its the key/wiring. this could still be caused by the fender mounted relay having bad contacts inside of it. Like i stated before these things arc on and off when used. this will build up crap ( i cant think of the name of it right now carbon?) and not allow the contacts inside to make contact with the 2 posts that you are jumping manually.

All of my battery contacts seem good. I did notice my ground on the driver side seemed a little warm. I also noticed the write wire from the fender solenoid to the glow plugs gets warm. Ill go jump it over via the fender mounted solenoid and see.

The glow plug wiring will get warm..from factory they are under rated for what the glow plug system pulls. When you say the grounds cables are getting warm that has me hinting that something is drawing on it such as your starter which might be going south

 

[rhkcommander]

If he jumps the starter solenoid and it starts that does not mean its the key/wiring. this could still be caused by the fender mounted relay having bad contacts inside of it. Like i stated before these things arc on and off when used. this will build up crap ( i cant think of the name of it right now carbon?) and not allow the contacts inside to make contact with the 2 posts that you are jumping manually.

Corrosion. I meant engaging the relay manually not jumping it, but it could very well be dirty and the problem he's having.

 

[Cincinnati Guy]

Are You talking about jumping over the the solenoid on the starter or fender?

 

[Dieselcrawler]

jumping the solinoid on the fender from large post to large post. this eliminates the solinoid and will send power to starter. if you jump from batt + to the little post on the solinoid, the solinoid should click and start cranking if it is good.