So I dropped my son off at school and then swooped into Autozone to buy some Diesel Kleen. When I came out, truck won't crank the starter. I can hear the vibrating sound (lift pump running I think?), dash lights and starting procedure looks normal, but when I turn the key the engine doesn't crank. Batteries and starter are both new within about 5000 miles. 12v across the fuse box using the test post.

Any ideas on where to start? I tried park and neutral.

Isn't there a way to cross the starter contacts with a screwdriver or something like that (will start truck if solenoid is bad). Where do you do this - I can see the big post on the bottom of the starter, but can't remember where the other terminal was when I installed it.

Thanks!

 

If you are still at Autozone have them check it for codes and load test the batteries as well. New batteries can fail at anytime.

 

Since the batteries have been replaced recently, the problem may be caused by battery terminal corrosion that tends to creep into the cables creating a no start condition. A new cable or cables is typically the best repair practice.

 

In that you have tried park and neutral we have to assume that your truck is an auto. Your signature does not say this. Have you tried turning the key to the start position, holding it there and slowly moving the gear shift from park to some other gear? Keep a foot an the brake while doing this in case it fires up in gear.
Turn the headlights on and have someone watch them when you try to start the engine. If the dim dramatically or even go out, then chances are that you have a battery problem or bad battery connections.
Keep us posted.

 

If you mean the starter won't make any noise at all, check out this post of mine from back in '08 when I stopped at Wally World and came out and had nothing. Easy fix if this is your issue.

 

Thanks everyone for the help!

I tried all of the ideas mentioned (FMB - even found your post while searching and checked that out - I was going to link it myself in case anyone with the same problem finds my post).

Of course when I made it back up to Autozone it was raining (had to have the wife pick me up so I could drop her at the Dr. and pick up son from school). After coming up no dice with all of the ideas given, I found the connection on the top of the starter was just a bit loose. I snugged it up, hopped in and she fired right up like nothing happened!

I'm still going to play around with things a bit more and tape up that connection, but at least I got it back to my own driveway!

Thanks again!

 

I love $0 repairs. Glad you found it.

 

Yeah, got lucky with the freebie! I was about 10 min from getting it towed home to work in my garage...

I shored up the connection a bit - used some dielectric grease. Is it a good practice to use this on most electrical connections? Because I have been...