Can't Get Engine to Turn Over

[bd]

I read the thread about bypassing the Neutral safety switch and now I cant express how dumb I really am and about the fusible links.. Im just gonna read and not post anythin in the future because I am a liability....

Don't think like that. Everybody's input is always welcomed.
Just got to remember that we don't always know the competence of other posters or the complete circumstances of the issue they are having. Also others from web searches might be reading the threads so sometimes we just need to word our posts as if everyone was non mechanically inclined. Don't take any offense to being corrected when advise is incorrect. I guarantee you no insult was intended.

I see that you are new here. Welcome to the board.

X2

Rob, everyone on here has their own unique experience and approach to repairs.  I can assure you, everyone of us has felt 'silly' after a post at one time or another.  So, don't be bashful about joining in and sharing your views and experience.  We learn from one another.   

[bake74]

I read the thread about bypassing the Neutral safety switch and now I cant express how dumb I really am and about the fusible links.. Im just gonna read and not post anythin in the future because I am a liability....

Don't think like that. Everybody's input is always welcomed.
Just got to remember that we don't always know the competence of other posters or the complete circumstances of the issue they are having. Also others from web searches might be reading the threads so sometimes we just need to word our posts as if everyone was non mechanically inclined. Don't take any offense to being corrected when advise is incorrect. I guarantee you no insult was intended.

I see that you are new here. Welcome to the board.

     X3:  as mentioned do not take it personally, also as mentioned we like to think as everyone as family here, so we are here to teach each other.
     If you could not learn anymore, and new everything, what would be the fun of being on here ?

[Captkaos]

Ditto on the above.  We all make mistakes, we all learn from them.  Everyone is welcomed here.

[Les_Paul]

Thanks for all the input fellas. I had the same thing happen to me again (twice in the same day!) and discovered I had a faulty battery. All it took was a jump, and I was up and running. So I took a quick trip to the store and replaced the battery and haven't had a single issue since.

[bd]

Glad you got it resolved.

[Les_Paul]

Well I jinxed myself lol. Literally the next time I drove after writing that post the engine would turn over. Fortunately someone was close by with jumper cables, and she started like a dream. So I took it to O'Reilly's this morning to have the alternator checked (maybe the alternator wasn't recharging the battery), but it came back perfect. My next guess is it has something to do with the starter? It's just odd that it's so intermittent...

[bake74]

My next guess is it has something to do with the starter? It's just odd that it's so intermittent...

     You might be onto something.  Have you crawled  under your truck to check the cable from the battery to the starter to see if it's tight ?  I would disconnect the cable at the battery before messing around down there in case it is loose it does not spark and short something out or blow your fuse able links.
    Also check to make sure the cable is still tight in the " eye " crimp fitting that is attached to the pole of the starter, and that the pole that the cable attaches to is not loose on the starter itself.
     1 more thought, you have checked to make sure your positive and negative cables at the battery are tight and secure inside the clamps for the battery post ?

[454Man]

I now have the same issue. Last night while adjusting the valves I left my jumper wire on the starter loose and it was grounded, so when I turned the ignition switch pop and nothing but when I jump it to the batt it turned over. Then it would start with no problem. I know its the fuse links at this point, because I tested for continuity while it wouldn't stay and after. Weird... Yes! try jumping the starter post next time it won't start, then after it turns over remove your jumper abs turn the key. See it that helps:-)

[1HI4x4]

I'll bet someone lunch that if you replace the battery cables from the battery to the starter, and from the battery to the ground, you will solve this problem.

[Les_Paul]

I'll start checking these things out...now it's just a matter of getting myself underneath the beast

[Les_Paul]

My next guess is it has something to do with the starter? It's just odd that it's so intermittent...

     You might be onto something.  Have you crawled  under your truck to check the cable from the battery to the starter to see if it's tight ?  I would disconnect the cable at the battery before messing around down there in case it is loose it does not spark and short something out or blow your fuse able links.
    Also check to make sure the cable is still tight in the " eye " crimp fitting that is attached to the pole of the starter, and that the pole that the cable attaches to is not loose on the starter itself.
     1 more thought, you have checked to make sure your positive and negative cables at the battery are tight and secure inside the clamps for the battery post ?

I had a chance to get underneath it today and wouldn't you know it, the cable was not tight on the starter. I tightened up the nut about as tight as I could without trying to break it off. Maybe that was my only problem...I suppose time will tell. (And I disconnected the battery before messing around with it )

I'll bet someone lunch that if you replace the battery cables from the battery to the starter, and from the battery to the ground, you will solve this problem.

You are probably correct on this one, but I'd prefer not having to mess with that or spend the $20 bucks on it if I can help it!

[Les_Paul]

Ok...had it happen to me twice more today. I have power everywhere but can't get the starter to even crank. As soon as I hook up jumper cables it fires right up...Surely it's not the wires though since jumping wouln't make the connections any better, right?

[bake74]

Ok...had it happen to me twice more today. I have power everywhere but can't get the starter to even crank. As soon as I hook up jumper cables it fires right up...Surely it's not the wires though since jumping wouln't make the connections any better, right?

     When it won't start, do you get out and try to turn the cables on top of the battery or move the cable around and try to restart ? 
      I do not believe it is the cables, but it could be.  By doing what I said, and if you can get it started, I then would replace cables and battery post clamps.
      I have seen the cable to clamps get a short in them before, you play with them and the vehicle will start.

[1HI4x4]

.Surely it's not the wires though since jumping wouln't make the connections any better, right?

If the cables are corroded(green) internally then they are not going to efficiently carry the amperage required to engage the starter, when you hook up the second battery through jumper cables all you are doing is increasing the amperage and that extra amperage is enough to push through the corrosion.

[Les_Paul]

If the cables are corroded(green) internally then they are not going to efficiently carry the amperage required to engage the starter, when you hook up the second battery through jumper cables all you are doing is increasing the amperage and that extra amperage is enough to push through the corrosion.

I recently had to put a new ring on the end of the negative cable because my old one was cracked. When I spliced the wire, the internal copper strands looked ok, but I'm not an expert so maybe a little bit of green is doing more damage than I thought..