Starting issues

[BC10]

Hi Guys,
My truck had been starting inconsistently. Last week it stopped starting, so I figured that it might be the starter solenoid (non stock) that the previous owner had put into the truck. I replaced it and it did nothing.

Then I figured that it may be the starter relay. Replaced it, didn't work. No headlights either.

Started moving the relay around while having someone start the car and suddenly, bam!, car starts. And headlights turn on.

I have come to a dead end. The truck only starts when the relay is pushed down with an object, without it, nothing happens when I try to start her. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Molberg]

Check your crimped wires hooked to the solenoid. Try pulling on one while trying to start it. Likely a bad connection.

[faribran]

What Molberg said

[BC10]

Thanks guys, I will take a.look and give an update.

[franken]

A relay running a ford solenoid running the solenoid on the starter? Correct me if I'm not seeing this right.
Solving problems with more complexity (2 extra parts) will bite your butt eventually, or in this case, now.
Jump around the parts in the pic and troubleshoot the actual solenoid/starter problem and you'll be better off.
You can do the above w/o changing anything using half a pair of jumper cables and a long #12 wire with alligator clips.
A side benefit is less embarrassing clutter under the hood.
If you need a terminal block with extra connections, look to an 88+ truck in the scrapyard. They fit in a pocket if your cheap an amoral

[67 chevelle]

You have 2 solenoids there , neither one original to the truck , the ford starter solenoid is chassis ground , if its not getting a good contact to the fender it will not work properly , try installing a ground wire from the mounting screw to the battery negative . The other solenoid in the pic I will assume is the headlight solenoid modification , generally that solenoid is a cheap snap in replacement if bad

I assume you have headers , really the only reason for the ford remote solenoid , if you do try to eliminate that component , you must remove the little jumper wire installed on the original chevy solenoid down on the starter

[BC10]

Got it.

I had previously checked the wires before, but took another look. Seems that one of the connections were not making contact under the solenoid bolt.

I totally hear those who commented that this is not the ideal way of routing the starter. I am aware of that, and will be changing this when situations are more ideal.

If we could all get a nickel for every time we asked ourselves: "WHAT THE HECK WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER THINKING WHEN HE DID THIS???"

Thanks for all the help!

[litew8]

I'm surprised the duct tape didn't fix it

[darush01]

It does seem like a connection or ground issue I'd lean towards ground bc I've had alot of ground problems