Truck won't start! What could it be?

[Russ72C10]

Hey guys (and gals)... I need your help...

I went out this morning, started the truck right up. Went to the gas station... got gas. Went over to my parents place (to grab my 4-wheeler). Everything running great! I have to come back home real quick to get the keys for my ATV - but when I go back out to leave, the truck won't start. There have never been any signs or symptoms of a dying ignition component prior to this.

When I try to start it, it doesn't turn over. There's no noises at all. It simply does nothing. Lights, radio, etc all work fine. But I went ahead and swapped in a different (good) battery - same results. I also jumped the Neutral safety switch to be sure that was not the problem. Still.... no dice.

I had my dad come over to see what he thought. He did the ol' screwdriver across the starter trick... it sparked nicely, but even with the fireworks - still nothing happened. I may try this again myself to be sure though.

Anyone ever had such a totally random thing happen before? What could it be? I will replace the starter.... but if it's not necessary I'd rather keep that money in my wallet.

[68 Stepside]

Well, I can't be of much help, but I'd suggest checking the uh...purple (I think) wire, going to the solenoid trigger lead.

That's where I'd start, if that's not the problem, you might try a different ignition switch.....or make sure the connector on the back of your ignition switch is good and tight.

Good luck,

TJ

[gashog]

Just had the same exact thing happen to mine. Tried all the same stuff you did, then I pulled the starter and hooked it up directly to a battery. It would work only if I turned the starter about 1/4 turn by hand then would work till it hit that bad spot again. New starter fixed it.

[chevy2racr]

it wouldn't be the silinoid wire if you jump it wit a screw driver and it doesn't go, I bet starter is shot don't return your core right away when you buy it so if it isn't you can still keep your money

[68 Stepside]

Yeah...duh...the jumping it with a screwdriver part didn't sink into my thick skull.

I'd say replace the starter...sounds like brushes.

TJ

[cableguy0]

do u have headers. if so it could be heatsoaked but it should start back up after it cools down a bit

[Hooter]

The headers on my truck always use to cook starters. So one day i got some bailing wire and an asbestos mit wrapped the mit around the starter and havent had any problems since. Are you even hearing a solenoid click? Sometimes battery cables look good on the outside but are shot on the inside. Or it could be just brushes are worn out

[Russ72C10]

I don't hear anything click at all. Absolutely silent... I also let it sit for a few hours and tried starting it again... but no luck there either.

And no headers... YET! Those will come with the rebuild this winter, along with a heat shield for the starter!

Thanks for the help so far!!!

[meathead95]

my v-8 s-10 does that all the time when you stop and start it frequently because the selenoid gets heat soaked from the headers (and yes i have a shield on it) but it always starts the next day when i try to go somewhere else if i dont start it alot in a short amount of time i never have any problems

[jmil1974]

Check your battery cables. Make sure they are in good shape (or new) and tight. I've had that happen to me just like that -- there was enough of a connect to juice accessories but not the hog starter.

[Russ72C10]

And the truck will now start if I lay a screwdriver across the solenoid posts. It still won't fire up from the ignition, although it will shut off from there. Guess I could just carry a long screwdriver w/ me! But winter is coming, so that's a chilly thought!

From this point what would you guys guess the trouble is? Ignition switch? Solenoid trigger wire? Hmmmm.

I have just about had my feel.... not having a garage sucks!!!

[my new 72]

It's got to be the purple wire that runs to the + side of the solenoid. I gaurantee if you run a new wire from the back of the ignition switch to the solenoid it will start right up with the key. To test it just fray the wire under the dash a bit and attach a test lead to it, and then attach the other end to the solenoid and give it a try. Just run it through your window under the hood, it only take a minute, and then you'll know for sure. Mine just did the same thing. Remember that wire is thirty years old.

[Palf70Step]

Had same thing happen on my 96 GMC bout 2 weeks ago. Turned out to be a bad battery. Everything worked fine, but it just wouldn't start. Battery just shorted itslef out while sitting there. Unless you removed it, it shorted even when I tried a jump. Go figure! Good luck

[Classic Heartbeat]

The same exact thing just happened to my Blazer. The first thing you need to do and it is because it is simple and should be done anyway is:
1.) Check and clean Battery Cables
2.) Check and clean terminals at the lug on the R/F Fender
3.) Check and clean the terminal for the purple wire going to your starter cylenoid.
4.) Unscrew the fuse plugs on the engine side of the firewall inspect, clean and put it back together.
Number 4 turned out to be the problem when what you discribed happened to my Blazer.
Number 2 is what the problem was when the same problem happened to my 68 BB GMC.
Number 1 is what the problem has been on many of the trucks that I have had in and out of here. Hope this helps... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

[71GMC_3/4T]

Crimp a new ring terminal on the purple wire at the starter. My guess is that it has corroded over time and opened up. If you can, crimp and solder the new ring term. If that doesn't fix it, check the purple wire where it goes thru the firewall. Also check the condition of the crimps at the Neutral safety switch. If you still haven't found a smoking gun, pull the ignition switch and check the contacts there.
A good way to see if you're getting any juice to the purple wire is to use a test light and check it at the Neutral safety contacts, then follow it from there. If the light lights up at the solenoid purple wire in start position, then the solenoid is hosed.

[stllookn]

Mine does this from time to time. I took the starter and had it checked by the rebuild shop...no problem even under load. I redid most of the wire connections, by-passed the neutral start switch, and redid the engine to frame grounds...even added an extra one. I rigged a new wire from the solenoid and left it hanging from the heater hose. When it doesn't start now I just leave the ignition on, open the hood and touch the wire to the positive battery terminal. BTW make sure you leave the truck in park or neutral...unless you can run fast and need the exercise...DOH! Some day I will figure this out...mine is very intermittent. I will probably try the ignition switch next.

[Russ72C10]

Thanks for all of the helpful tips!!! On my next day off I'm going to hunt down that solenoid wire and just replace it... Although, I must say.. there's no purple wire going to my starter, they're both red! ALthough it's purple behind the ignition switch. Someone has definitely been into this wiring before me and messed it up real good! Thanks guys!!!

*fingers crossed*

[1971LT1SWBPOSI373]

maybe thats part of your problem. Inspect that red wire real good!