Hard time getting the truck to turn on

My truck has been having multiple issues lately turning on.. i checked the fuses to find that my stereo fuse was blown but i don't see how that would have anything to do with the starter and alternator.. I do have an aftermarket stereo system in the truck which could have caused the issues but i don't believe it would because its running on very low power and all the wiring is still in good shape. (no fraying or loose wires)

 

What is "hard time"? Does it start after a couple times cranking? Does it just click?

 

Modern fuel injection vehicles are very picky about battery and cable condition.

Get an electronic voltmeter or volt/ohm meter (under $20 at Wal-Mart) set it on the 20 volt DC range. Hook it right to the battery and watch the action of it as you:

a) first turn on the key
b) crank the engine
c) start the engine and release the key
d) rev the engine up

a) should be around 13.2 volts & drop about 1/2 volt as you turn on the key
b) must never fall below 11.5 volts while cranking
c) should jump right up past 12.7 volts at idle
d) should hit around 14+ volts at 3000 RPM
e) should never go over about 15.7 volts even at redline

My guess is that b) is falling below 11.5 volts & the computer doesn't want to fire at that low voltage due to internal voltage regulation/protection circuitry.

Next hook the voltmeter to the bolts on the ends of the battery cables away from the battery & do the same tests. Any difference in the readings would indicate faulty/loose cables/connections

 

Yea there really isn't enough information here to know what you need... If it's any consolation... my truck occasionally doesn't want to start very well either. It'll crank (I'll go about 3 sec, stop, re-engage the start and it'll fire right up). It's been like that since the start, never really cared/bothered enough to pursue it. There was another thread about it, apparently it's fairly common. It doesn't do it all the time for me, just sometimes. I will say it's a hell of a lot easier to start than my '69 AMC 327 in the '78 280z

 

yeah no, it clicked and just cranked and took a few seconds longer than normal to start. The wiring was fine and done right and i checked it all then i replaced the battery and it has fixed it for the most part it will click here and there but it will click every so often