Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Need help, click-but no starter engage?

[Tmartin000]

I niw officially have an intermittent problem. One out of 3 times I attempt to start my 97 3500, the starter won't engage. I hear nothing. Its almost like I haven't depressed the clutch as a safety issue. BUT, i'm flooring the peddle to the floor-board! What gives?



TJ

 

[Tmartin000]

clink

The click i'm hearing may be for the camper selinoid I installed. The symptem is NOTHING when I turn the key. The dash does indicate what it should . so, i know the switch is good. Isn't there another relay? I did the Larry B's upgrade to the starter.



TJ

 

[jbrowne]

I had the same problem with my 96. I took the starter off and pulled the solenoid ( How ever it is spelled) apart and the contacts and the plunger were burned almost all the way through. I bought a really hefty set of contacts and a new plunger and, walah, it fine.



JimB

 

[Deezul1]

It sounds silly but give the battery terminals a good cleaning, its worked for me several times with that problem.

 

[1dslram]

As a last resort remove the starter and check the alignment of the contacts that they are hitting flat and making good contact.

Bruce

 

[Tmartin000]

update

I just installed those breaker bars on both batteries. The ones that you can lift the brass handles up to kill current if your engine wont stop grinding on starter. Those connections are wexcellent on all four connections. I cleaned and retightened.



Does the selanoid for the fuel system work through a relay to fire? I lifted up the fuel rail thinghy and moved the heck out of it up and down. I then could start it three times briefly until it wouldn't start again.



It was doing this BEFORE I changed those kill bars. Just seems worse now. Don't forget, I don't drive this truck much unless I carry the camper.



Batteries seem fine and appear to hold a great charge. Checked altenater weeks ago. Doing great there too.



Thanks.



TJ

 

[1dslram]

Turn your ignition to start and then to run and check to see if the fuel solenoid is pulled up all the way, if not you have a bad solenoid and it must be replaced or you can run a choke type cable to replace the solenoid. Caution don't leave the key in the start position as that will burnup the solenoid and the starter.

Bruce

 

[gitchesum]

If you've got new contacts and it doesn't even click. I would take a look at the saftey switch for the clutch too. It might be bad or not being fully activated.



Ya gotta hate elctrical problems.

 

[Deezul1]

"I hear nothing. Its almost like I haven't depressed the clutch as a safety issue. "



This doesnt sound like a fuel solinoid. If it cranked and wouldnt start then I would suspect the solinoid. It sounds like no voltage to starter and bypassing the clutch safety is a good place to start. I hate the clutch safety and I cut the 2 wires going to the connector on the pedal and wired those 2 together so no clutch safety at all.