97 3500 left hooked to the horse trailer. The wife went to go ride this morning and it wouldn't start. Drug me out of bed to help her jump it- as we have occasionally had to do in the past. No jump. Lights dim while the coils heat up, turn the key and lots of clicking- sounds like it's coming from the 2 relays (?) directly under the drivers side battery.

I'm pretty much untrained when it comes to vehicles, so keep it simple, casue I'm stupid!!

Thanks!

-Steve

 

Charge the batteries, check the battery cables and connections.
Could need new starter contacts. They wear out over time. Its cheaper than buying a starter

 

Thanks! The charger is currently connected, and I even tried the old "hot water into the battery" trick. I think a pair of batteries are in order.

-Steve

 

If cleaning the connections and charging doesn't do the trick, pull the batteries and take them in for a check. You're on the right track.

 

What's your volt gauge reading? If you show decent voltage and you have lights, it may be your starter contacts. I just got finished replacing mine last week. When you would try to start, you would just hear the relays closing and solenoid click, but not a bit of movement from the starter. You can try tapping on the starter with a hammer to see if you can get the solenoid to make better contact.

 

Normally, the volt guage is in the 14's when running. I'll give the starter a couple of love taps and see if I get a change. BTW, this odd little noise frequently happens when I'm just starting... almost sounds like a short of some variety- dims everything, but soon passes.

-Steve

 

Good advice from everybody , you are on the right track . Ditto on the suggestion of the possible starter solenoid contacts , common problem . Usually you can work the ignition key back and forth and eventually it will make contact and fire up . My advice , dont just put in another starter ... go to a rebuilder and get a couple sets of contacts , they are cheap . Either have him or you install them MAYBE freshen up the rest of the starter and you are good to go . Very simple repair and easy . If my memory serves me right though , I believe you need a special socket to remove the starter bolts at least on my '94 it was ( nothing trick , just a common Harbor Freight item )

Even if this isnt the problem right now , I can gaurantee you will use them in the future its just a matter of time .

Good luck and let us know what you find

Pigeonman

 

Starter bolts on my '01 were 12pt 10mm. And TIGHT!

Easy swap on the contacts. You can also pick them up from www.fostertruck.com He make a larger than stock set that I put in mine. You know...gotta BOMB everything.

 

Thanks to everyone for their advice. 2 new batteries later, "The Beast" starts like never before.

-Steve

 

Never forget the power of one bad battery to pull the other down quickly.
Do not replace only one old battery. Use the supposedlly good one for the lawn mower or whatever.