Started my truck and drove for about 5 miles, shut it off and came back about 30 mins later and it wouldn't start! All accessories come on, but when i turn it over it clicks once and does nothing. Tried jumping it and that didn't work either. Ended up push starting it, drove home and let it sit for a while running. Shut it off and it will not start again. The battery seems to be fine and the fuel pump primes also, so I don't think that is the issue.


I have searched and don't see any info on this exact problem. I didn't see any fuses blown, what else should I check??

 

so it runs fine and you can roll start it but the starter motor doesn't seem to work? You say when you turn it over it clicks once, does "turn it over" mean the engine actually turns over but does not start, or do it mean when you turn the key to the start position it clicks but the motor does not turn over?

Could be the starter, or perhaps the starter relay, ignition switch. When you turn the key to start and it clicks one, do the lights dim? If so it could be something like corroded battery terminals. (Starters draw huge current, a bad electrical connection somewhere can let enough juice flow to keep the engine running, but not enough to engage and turn the starter.)

I don't know if its the same on a 99, but on a 97 the starter relay is on the drivers side fender and you can take a screwdriver and short out the two posts, simulating a closed relay. If it's that way on your 99, you can try that. If the starter turns the motor over then you know the battery connectors and the starter are good.

 

Thanks for the reply! The engine does not actually turn over, I meant the key position. It clicks once but I do not notice the lights dimming at all. I checked the battery voltage and it was fine, so I don't think that is the issue.

Seems like it would be the starter, but I never had any problems with it before. Aren't starter issues usually degenerative, so it would get worse with time? I tried tapping it with a hammer on several occasions and it didn't help. I will try the screwdriver method with the relay if I can find it! haha


EDIT: Interior lights shut off when I attempt to start, turn back on when I release key. Also, I laid a screwdriver across the bolts of what I think was the relay, nothing happened

 

Sounds like your battery. Just cause it reads 12 volts doesn't mean it has the amps to turn the engine over. When it comes to powering the starter its all about amps.

 

I have had the same problem before. Disconnect the battery terminals and use a wire brush to clean the posts on the battery and also the connectors that hook to the battery terminals. Try that and let us know what happens.

 

check connections to the starter and have someone test the voltage while you try to start it and see if it drops.

 

I cleaned the battery terminals and reconnected with no luck. I see that the interior lights shut off when I turn the key over, but the battery reads a little over 12v. I dunno if I'm testing the solenoid right...I followed the pos. terminal to the fusebox and the cable was held in place by two bolts. I laid a screwdriver across the top of the two bolts (with the keys out) and nothing happened. Am I doing this right?

Also, I see the starter and the solenoid under the truck, but how do I test the voltage? I can barely reach up to it because there's so much crap in the way. What is the best method to do this?

 

Key has to be in and turned forward to jump the solanoid! Its probably that! Keep in mind theres alot of juice going through those wires so i would use a heavy wire like a jumper cable or something to do it

 

Is this the correct place to jump? (pic) I tried w/ jumper cables but no change.. I felt around the solenoid a little and the connections seem tight, but I cant get a good view of it. Any suggestions on how to further test?

 

So I don't think anyone mentioned this but have you checked all the fuses? And under the hood as well?

 

x2 If its not that my bet is the starter.

 

Yes, all fuses are fine.

 

Anyone have a good technique to get at the solenoid? It's mounted on the starter motor and it's too tight for me to reach up from the bottom to try and short the posts

 

Got to be the starter. They usually give some warning before they fail though. I find it odd that it started up fine till you just park it for 30 min then it doesn't start again. Odd....

 

If it is too difficult to do it just take the starter off and take it up to Autozone and have them test it. It is a little tricky to get to it so this may be better for you.

 

Gahhh I can't even get the starter off! What do you guys use for tools? There's barely enough room to get the socket on, much less turn it

 

Well if you have one of the socket wrenches with the flexible heads it helps. It is a little tricky to get to lol. Had to take mine off and re-install it 3 times in one day once so I got pretty good at it! Haha

 

Yeah, the bolts are almost stripped now and I cant get two of them off...guess i'll take it to the shop

 

Oh deng did you not use the right size socket on them? That sux man. sorry we couldn't help

 

I did but it kept slipping because I didn't have the right extensions on there...hopefully they can get them off at the shop. Thanks for all your help!

 

Cool man let us know what the outcome is.

 

Turns out it was the starter. When I picked it up I found that a ball joint was worn out, so it's still at the shop