just my luck. (starter issues, need help)

[Project1970]

So at work tonight, one of my coworkers left her lights on...so I went out to give her a jump. Her car wasn't too far from my truck, but far enough, so I go to start it up. Turn the key and...nothing. Hmm. Kill switch is fine, try again...nothing. Third time, check the ignition connector, feels fine, try again...nothing. Fan is blowing no problem, turn it off just to make sure, try again...nothing. Make sure it's very much in Park, try again...nothing. Bleh.

So I get out and pop the hood...uh-oh, it smells like magic smoke! I take a look at the fender and there's my year-old-or-so remote starter solenoid, now a melted mass of plastic and metal bolted to the fender, on which it put a white mark. Not what I need.

Riddle me this. What are the odds, you guys think, that this solenoid (on the fender) is the only thing roasted? I certainly hope it is, because then it's a very simple repair and I'm on the road again. I have noticed it getting a little reluctant to crank as of late. But if that solenoid is roasted, what are the chances that the starter solenoid on the starter itself is cooked, or that the starter itself is hosed? I don't think either of those got enough juice, though; it never even really clicked loudly.

[Longhorn Man]

Is the wire burned all the way down to the starter? If not, I'd say your alright.

[Project1970]

Nope, the starter cable looked fine. It seems that most of the melting on the fender solenoid was on the battery side anyway.

[Project1970]

Well, it works so far...and I hope it's as simple as that...though something tells me it's just gonna happen again, stupid cheap AutoZone solenoid...

[Longhorn Man]

Look for why it may have grounded out. If there is no reason, then it was just a brain fart on the solinoid.