Hi all,

I went to move my '93 around tonight and noticed that I had to hit the key twice to get it to start, which is unusual because in the three weeks I've owned it, it's always started before I could get off the key. Just like it should.

Moved it around, did some work, went to move it back and it won't start at all.

What I get is what sounds like a couple of turns on the starter (rrrnnn, rrrnnn), and then rapid fire ticking sounds until I let off the key.

I searched for threads on something like this, and didn't find anything that seemed like it, so I'm now asking for DTR's collective advice!

My guesses are: 1. Battery low on juice. 2. Solenoid contacts are done. It got dark on me, and since it's not my daily driver, I'm going to look at it tomorrow when I get home.

You would know I parked it in front of my back gate and can't get anything out of the back yard 'till I get her fixed!!!

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

battery sounds bad. charge it up or jump it. if u have a volt meter check it shouldnt read below 12.6

 

I agree. Dead Batt.

 

after you get it started you should check to make sure that the alt. is charging the battery.

 

id check the batt and charge it off the truck. Relying on the truck to charge the battery can be a bit harsh on the alternator sometimes

 

yup, pull the battery to charge it, and pull the alternator and the voltage regulator and have them tested

 

It could also be a bad connection, or a combination of bad connections.

Thoroughly inspect, CLEAN, and tighten all connections from the battery-posts to the starter, both HOT and GROUND.

A poor loose-fitting corroded connection will act like a dead battery.

If that don't fix it, try a new battery, Group 30 or 31, not some wimpy Walmart mess.

Then, keep a close eye on the voltage gauge, to see if the alternator and regulator are doing their part.

 

ive never been one for crappy batteries when they try to sell me a "Neverlast" or a "Duracrap" i say No thanx

 

Thanks to all for the input. As I've thought on this while I'm here at work, some things are running thru my mind: When I bought it about a month ago, it had a new battery and alternator on it. When I get home tonight, I'll check all the connections and see if the alternator terminals are tight. Otherwise, it would not be completely out of bounds for a newly rebuilt alternator to fail so soon. I have a new group 65 top post I'm going to put in it tonight to see how that works.

Thanks again to everyone.
Mike

 

a group 65 might start it but DONT RUN IT in the truck. its to small. the biggest one we have at work is a 65-72 which is 850 cca ur truck is rated at 1150 i think. it takes a group 31.

 

I've been running my '04 on a single group 65 for months now... and it's got a lot more electronics on it than a 1st gen!

 

For now, I'll have to keep running the 65, but I don't drive it everyday, so the 'abuse' won't be as harsh in the time until I fix that.

Turned out to be the newly rebuilt alternator that is bad. I have a spare which I'll use until I can afford to get a better quality replacement.

Thanks to all who have read and offered help. DTR rocks!!

 

The group 65 will probably work fine till the first cold day.
Mine had something on that order in it when i got it . . .worked fine till I needed to actually use the grid heaters (-20F). The grids killed it before the starter had a chance.

 

The son's truck had a brand-new Neverstart Group 65 in it when we got it last summer.

So long as it gets driven every couple of days, it will start okay in warm weather.

If it sits for more than a couple of days, or the weather turns cold = below 40*, it cranks real slow and may, or may not, start.

To keep it lively, I keep a maintainer/charger plugged to it; it will sling it over pretty decent then.




One big battery is okay when EVERYTHING is in good condition; but, start having a fuel issue, or some other un-foreseen difficulty, especially in cooler weather, and even the biggest battery will soon let you down.

Two are good; three are better.

 

If I had the cash to spare, mine would have a pair of optimas in it . .right now it just has a single group 31.