starter woes

[mudgutsandglory]

awhile back my starter started making some bad grinding kinda sounds, then quit...i looked the flywheel over and thought it looked kinda worn, but not all that bad...so i just replaced the starter. new starter starts making grinding sounds, then quits working...will just spin and never catch anything...no matter where i turned the flywheel...so, i go and get a new flywheel thinking that will solve my problems...while under the truck jacked up i notice that it doesnt look like there is enough clearance between the starter and the flywheel, so i throw a shim in just to check before i go tearing the truck apart, of course the battery is dead from where i had it unhooked while removing the alternator bracket to paint it and the PS bracket...i hook battery up and check all my grounds, everything looks good, i go to start the truck and i just get clicking at the solenoid...so i charge the battery and try again...still just clicking, so now i undo the ground where it attaches to the ALT. bracket and clean it up with a wire brush, tighten it back down and try again, now there is a spark under the dash where my temp gauge light is grounded...and clicking...still no start.
so i came inside to keep from doing harm to my truck
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan

[mudgutsandglory]

the plot wierdens...switch the parking lights on to look at my gauges while i turn the key...and the truck lights off!!!! what the fudge is going on here!!!!!!!
Dan
btw, had headers uncapped for tranny removal already, started up like that, scared the crap outta myself!!!!!!

[784X4GUY]

Bout the only thing I can tell you is if when you turn the key you hear a clicking sound. That could indicate that you have a bad solinoid (can't spell forgive me). That's what the problem was a both my 85 and 86 silverado C10's I had. Changed em out and the truck started like new. Good luck with it man...Later Mike

[784X4GUY]

LOL yeah those open header V8's sure are loud! Later Mike