Hey yall. Im having the issue where the starter works 99 percent of the time, but then randomly decides to not function at all out of the blue. I work a delivery driver job so this randomness can make me uneasy. Of course, push starting always works. I initially thought it was the anti theft malfunctioning and locking down the truck, and one time I tried the disable technique when i had the no-start problem, you get out, lock the driver door with the key, then unlock it with the key, then get in and start it. And it started right up! So I was like phew, problem solved. Except today the key trick didn't work. I'm thinking about swapping in a new starter. My belief is that the solenoid is going bad.

My question: I've watched videos on replacing the starter. Is there any way other than coming up from away from where the bolts are facing? ie, to where when im under teh truck, i am looking directly at the bolts rather than feeling for them with a wrench?

 

Are you absolutely sure it's a starter issue? It may be the ignition switch. Next time it acts up, try wiggling the key in the ignition switch; I've done this "test" a few times and have found that in a couple of situations, it was the ignition switch, and not the starter. Also, are all the battery connections clean and tight?

Would not want you to go through the work (and expense) of a starter replacement if that's not truly the issue.

 

Why would it be the ignition switch? The warning lights and everything come on, fuel, spark, ECU, everything. Its just when i turn to the START position I just get a *click*. I believe its a failing starter solenoid. However, i will definitely try the wiggle key method you mentioned the next time it happens.

 

Now that i've done some reading I have doubts it is the ignition switch. First off, they say the lights and everything shouldn't come on when you turn the key to KOEO. My dash lights all come on. Then, when i turn to the START mode all the dash lights flick off until I release the key - Once again, pointing towards a failing starter solenoid. However, I can go days, sometimes a week or more, with hundreds of perfect starts, without issue. Then it will randomly get me and I end up push starting it. I guess I could try whacking the solenoid with a hammer next time.... [Goes to put hammer in back of truck]

 

Your switch does appear to be working as it should. In my cases, I would turn the key to "on", and yes, all the buzzers/lights and such came to life; the next position of the ignition switch ingages the starter. When released, the ignition switch returns to the "on" position, which was why I offered the possibility of the ignition switch as being faulty. The 3 positions of an ignition switch are off, on, and start.

In your case, since the lights dim when in the "start" position, the starter is drawing current from the battery.

Are you sure the battery is healthy? Connections clean and tight? Battery cables good? Also, check the starter relay (50 Amp) located in the power distribution box in the engine compartment (fuse/relay #5)

 

Yes, the battery is good. Just cleaned all connections last week

 

I am having the same issue. Just started on me. It has not reached the point where I have to push start it yet, but I am sure it is the starter going out.
I too can go days without and issue and then one day it will slowly hesitate to start. I guess I will need to look up how to change a starter and make a weekend job out of it.

 

After replacing the starter and battery this past week and still having these problems, I replaced the battery cable ends and it seemed to fix the problem.

Note that all spring/summer/fall it didn't act up once. As soon as the weather got cold I ran into this issue often.