This just started a couple weeks ago, every once and awhile, I go to start, turn key and nothing. Just a click, really more like a knock, just once. But if I turn the key several times, it will fire right up. Tonight it did it again, but took a long time to get it to fire up.
This is what I have checked/fixed lately:
Batteries are good
Calbles/connections good and cleaned
Replaced starter contacts larry b

I am thinking its one of the following:
Bad ignition switch(have had trouble turning it from time to time)
Starter?? Wiring or internal
Wiring in column going to switch?

Where do I start?
I leave for an all day trip at 7am tomorrow, I'll probably just leave it running, till I get back to work on it this weekend.

 

You need to change yoru starter contacts and plunger. It is an easy fix, I just did mine and took about an hour or so. You can order the kit from Geno's and it comes with over sized contacts and a new plunger for about $40.00. You will also need a good 12pt 10mm box end wrench to remove the starter bolts. Remember to unhook both batteries to avoid the fireworks. Do a search on starter contacts on here and you will all the info you need. Mine would click like you describe yours. One contact on mine was burned to almost paper thin. Dont wait on it, it will stick you and can lead to burning our your fuel shutoff solenoid.

Good luck.

 

I've done that. Its in my post.

 

You could hook up a manual pushbutton on the starter and start it that way a few times. I see them for sale at autovalue all the time. It is just a push button with two long wires with alligator clips on them. If your starter works all the time then you can probably narrow it down to something in the ignition system.

 

Roughstock,,,, try this thing http://startercontacts.com/relay.htm

I have did it to mine and makes a world of difference, Starter spins faster and no more clicking, I to have did the new contacts and plunger, but every once in awhile i still got the clicking,, this solved it. I didnt buy the kit,, I made my own using a relay and some wires

 

Something else to look at is that if the key is free turning and doesn't act like it's catching anything there is a metal tab in the ignition switch that will break off and cause that. If that tab breaks off the key will turn all day long and while it may hit the run position it will not turn far enough to engage the start position.

 

I'll look at the ignition switch when I have time. Maybe that tab has broken off or is bent and that is why sometimes it is hard to turn?
I'll probably make one of those relay deals like larry b, or just order one and get it installed.
Thanks for the help
kthiemann,
I see you are in St Louis, how was that snow/ice storm? I just ran down to columbia today (Fri) to drop off horses. It was gone when I got there.

 

the ice storm really wasnt all that bad, didnt even put my truck in 4 wheel drive...I work for metro so my biggest fun was running all over st. louis rescuing all the buses that our idiot drivers either tore up or got stuck in the slush and muck.

 

OK, something finally gave out, it will not start now. We pull started it today and I let it run most of the day, finally got home 10 min ago, and shut it off and tried to restart and nothing. I'll probably check connections, then get new switch at napa, and or the relay thing from Larry B. Anyone else? Help Please.

 

Or is it the clutch safety switch?
I had that happen on a chevy once.

 

With new contacts and the relay kit there's no way the starter wouldn't work! It would be like hooking up a light bulb straight to a battery and having it not light up. Oh, unless your battery cables are corroded beyond belief...

 

Get yourself a 12V trouble light with a pair of alligator clips, hook it to the starter solenoid engage and ground, set it where you can see the light and try to crank.

If you have lights, it is the contacts, if not, start moving the light back until you get 12V.

 

Cables checked out good, starter contact kit was installed, the relay kit has not yet. IF the clutch safety switch is bad, then no matter what the rest of the system looked like, it will not crank, I'm going to try to jumper that swtich first.

 

That's true... If it works, then doesn't work then the safety switch is definitely something to look at. I kinda got the idea that it was cranking but got slower and slower to the point where it wouldn't crank anymore.

But you know, another thing you mentioned is that you hear a "knock" rather than a click. That could mean that the starter solenoid is engaging because that's what it sounds like. Could it be that the brushes and/or armature in the starter are just gone?

 

Got it. I jumped the clutch safety switch and nothing, so i crawled under truck, looked at trigger wire, and wiggled it where it attached to solenoid and the "saver diode" that I bought from larry B came apart. I cut wire, spliced in new eyelet, hooked up and it started.
I'll call larry to see way it came apart? Rocks/snow? we've had Tons of snow.
Maybe just road vibes.
Thanks for help
I'm "On the Road Again"