Truck wont start!!

[squint]

Last night I went out to start my truck and had the oddest experience..

I turned the key and everything was fine.. i heard the engine fire so i let off the key and it did not quite start..

I turned the key again to finish the job, and all I got was a "click" ...

its acting like the battery is dead.. but I dont think it is.. The lights and everything come on full brightness.. but when i turn the key they go out completely.. there is no way that I can see that the battery would die like that?..

Any ideas.. started messed up?.. short somewhere??

I am just about to go take another look and see what I can find.. but I am pretty stumped..

[squint]

Oh.. and i also tried jumping it.. no luck.. it would just go Rurrr Click.. and nothing..

[full foot notch]

try screwdriver starting it on the starter, to pretty much bypass the starter solenoid?

should be either 2 big posts like the early 90 fords, on the starter, or 2 studs and a little wire, which should be the "kickover" wire, at which i would take an insulated screwdrive from the battery hot post to the little stud

if ya can screwdriver start your truck, its most likely the solenoid in the starter that is bad

[squint]

Oh man.. get a load of this.....!!!!!

I went in and picked up a new starter to replace my old one. ( am pretty sure now that its the starter ) .. Well i opened the box and the small wire terminal was broken off.. !! ..

not only that but also..!!!!!

as i was crawling around under my truck i found that my fuel line was wedged right up agains my headers!!!.. the engine flex wore a hole in the fule line.. and gas has been leaking out right ONTO my headers!!

So now.. I have removed the main fuel line and the starter.. hopefully tomorrow i will get all the pieces i need and be back in action..

I am GLAD my started got messed up.. probably saved my life.. or at least my trucks life.. geeeesh.. I feel like going and beating on the guys who installed my headers..

[BALDMIKE]

Yep.... Someone was looking out for you !

[a28doc]

if it isnt the starter then check your inline fuses from the battery to the starter and also from the switch to the starter these things tend to get corroded really bad and wont let the truck start but the headlights and stuff will still work I had this happen to my K5

Doc

[86swb]

You are really lucky. Glad you found that leak before the truck caught on fire. You must have had your angel with you and this was the only way to tell you of the problem.

[squint]

just got all the new fuel lines and stuff.. going to install them now.

[MM in NM]

After you get the new fuel lines in make sure your battery connections are clean and tight.

[squint]

Fuel lines are all good now.. YAY.. no fires..

Cant figure out the starter though.. i have like 9 shimms in there and its still gumming up on the flywheel.. something is not right..

any ideas?

[Nolowrider]

This may sound dumb, but did you make sure it was in park? Sometimes mine will do the same thing and I just jiggle the gear shifter alittle and she starts right up. Don't mean to insult your intelligence, but sometimes it is the smallest thing we overlook.

[squint]

ya, i checked.. I pulled it out and into gear like 4 times.. shes in park alright.

[full foot notch]

bad neutral safety switch?

[squint]

where do i check that ?

[86 GMG]

bottom of the steering column is where the n/s switch is i belive it is about 3 inches long and contours the round column

[MM in NM]

If your neutral safety switch is bad you will not get even a click from the starter. Just like if it is good and you try to start the truck while it is in one of the gears.