HELP, Truck won't start...

[Heath]

Okay heres the scoop... 1996 V8, ran fine yesterday, wife drove it to work last night, came home with my truck just fine, now it won't start... Lights come on, power supply looks good... I can hear the fuel pump, I have gas... But when I turn the key all i get is one loud tunk... Sounds like a loud click... not a lot of clicks, just one... My only guess would be the starter... I've had not problems with the truck starting in the past...

So the truck does not turn over, I just get one thunk, I check for oil, it has it, has gas, has power... Just no startee!!! HELP ME GUYS... I'm supposed to be leaving on a road trip with this thing in two weeks...

Thanks,

Heath...

 

[alphabets13]

mine did the same thing and it turned out to be the neutral safety switch. it just needed to be tightened. this was after i replaced the starter relay and the solenoid. good luck

 

[410Fortune]

Heath,

Have you tried "bypassing" the starter solenoid??

Try that first.
Otherwise it woulds like a dead battery, alternator, or possibly a bad starter.......

Let me know what you find out.....

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Sometimes the starter ring gear can get jammed. It is supposed to extend and mesh with the flexplate when the starter is on, and retract when the starter is off.

1) Try smacking the starter with a rubber mallet a few times, it may disengage a stuck gear.

2) Try turning the cranck pully with a wrench, to check that the engine isn't seized, and your starter motor isn't trying to engage a stuck crankshaft.

 

[Heath]

I've never even heard of bypassing a starter solonid and haven't got a clue how to do it...

 

[Heath]

I also don't see how my engine would seize overnight after running just fine all day yesterday...

 

[410Fortune]

starter solenoid basically is a heavy duty switch/relay. When you turn the key to the start pos it sends a signal to the solenoid which closes and sends power directly from the + terminal on the battery to the starter.

It has two posts on it, one with a big red wire from the battery, and the other, a single red wire to the starter.

All you have to do is use a wrench or screwdriver and touch the two posts together..........BE careful not to touch ground. Also have the key in the ON pos if you want the truck to start up.

Make sure it is not in gear!!! This will bump the starter and crank the engine, unless your battery does not have enough juice.......

 

[Heath]

So what if the starter itself is bad, then nothing will happen right... Or if the starter is "stuck" like someone else said...

 

[410Fortune]

Either removal of the starter or bang on it with a rubber mallet and hopefully it free's up...

I would:

Check the voltage of the battery first
Have you tried jump starting it?

Then move on to the starter with a mallet trick, check thw wiring and such while you are down there.

Then try the starter solenoid bypass....

My $$$ is on a dead battery.......

 

[alphabets13]

also, make sure there is no corrosion on the battery terminals.

 

[mattadams]

Heath, my recommendation is to get that thing rolling down a hill (where theres no people around), catch fire to it, evacuate the vehicle, and watch it go over a cliff. That explorer is possessed and I think that the next best step would be to consult a priest about getting the demons out.
Seriously, could be a dead battery, or a starter, or a few different things. I know we had done stuff with the battery cables a few months ago, might make sure they are good and tight. Also jumping like 410 mentioned.

 

[Heath]

Originally posted by 410Fortune
Heath,

Have you tried "bypassing" the starter solenoid??

Try that first.
Otherwise it woulds like a dead battery, alternator, or possibly a bad starter.......

Let me know what you find out.....

.



That was the answer right there... $6.99 at autozone... Good call 410Fortune


Thanks for all the quick help everyone, and for Matt coming over and showing me how to actually do the bypass...