Troubleshooting single click on start of 04' v6. No cranking, Replaced starter/batt/relay aleady.

Edit: Narrowed it down to the positive lead from battery to starter. Major voltage drop on start at the starter but not the battery.

The issue was 100% a bad connection.

I have cleaned the cable terminals and re-routed the positive lead from batt to starter and the issue is completely fixed.

Thanks everyone!
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Original post:
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I need advice on what my next plan should be.

But first my problem:

Truck has single "click" on key turn, No additional sounds. Starter motor is not cranking engine.

I have tried:

• Batt was jumped.
  
• Batt was replaced, terminals tighter.
  
• Starter relay was replaced.
  
• Smacked starter with hammer as key was turned.
  
• Replaced copper contacts and plunger inside starter.
  
• Replaced entire starter.
• Checked starter that both positive terminal and harness are secure.
• Spun crankshaft with the pulley nut.

YES, I have checked all connections and nuts. Everything is tight.

What are my options here...

I'll be checking voltages once I get a multi meter and write everything down.

Thanks.

 

tap the starter with a hammer... sometimes crud gets between the brushes and the armature. If she still doesnt turn take it off and soen to a O' Reilly Auto Parts, they will test it for free.

 

I smaked it good as my wife turned the key, No bueno.

Didn't know ORAP tests starters? I'll keep that in mind. Thanks

 

Did you check the starter worked before installing ??

Time to break out the Multi Meter check voltages .

Battery voltage ?

Have you checked and made sure you have voltage at the starter solenoid when the key is turned to start ??

Poor ground connection ??

When installing the negative battery terminal was it clean and tight ??

 

Let us know when you figure it out!

 

I will. Replacement of entire starter later today. I'll update.

 

Need a DMM to check for voltage on the signal wire at the starter, also check at relay and ignition switch.

 

I hate to see you get another starter and still have the same problems !!

Did you not get the bolts holding the contacts tight enough ??

Best of Luck!!

 

Check that the engine turns by putting a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt, just to rule out the unlikely possibility that the engine is seized for some reason.

Like someone else said, it's good to test the starter at the battery before installing, but you need to use big wires/cables because it pulls a lot of current. Check your old starter too when you take it out before putting the new one in.

And don't crank down the big cable on the starter too much or it can rotate the contacts internally causing them to not sit flat and not be aligned.

 

That is not a very good way to explain how to test a starter. It's easier to look for voltage then try to measure voltage drop.

 

Thanks - it had been awhile since I watched it but I like how it puts the whole thing into simple to follow circuit diagram with the actual parts. Chris fix and Eric the car guy probably have better diagnostic videos - guess I'm getting lazy with my info posts lol

 

Might sound dumb, but check to make sure your battery terminals are getting proper contact. I had a similar issue and my negative battery cable had a poor connection with the terminal.

 

I have replaced entire starter and I'm still getting the same issue. It is not the starter. I have turned the crankshaft pully (the lower big one) and Checked terminals. No workie workie. What do?

 

clean your battery terminals and the terminal on the starter. if theres corrosion on the starter or battery terminals it can be causing the issue

 

Update: I have replaced the battery and starter relay in the fuse box.

CLICK...

Same problem.

I have ruled out the battery, loose terminals, bad starter relay, bad starter, seized motor.

WTF...

My next step is to check each component with a voltage meter and record the data.

Halp.

 

if you want to hop in discord i can hop on in a few minutes. possibly lend a hand.

 

I have updated original post with more information and troubleshooting.

 

I'll be online after a shower give me 5

 

Are you sure the click is the starter? Like you had your hand on it while your wife turned the key?

If so, then there are 3 possibilities. 1) The plunger/gear is physically blocked from being pulled in all the way. 2) The solenoid isn't getting enough voltage/current to pull the plunger in hard enough to make contact with the contacts. 3) The plunger is going in fully, but there is not enough current reaching the actual motor part of the starter through the big cable. (That assumes that the starter motor is good since it's new.)

Now you need to figure out which of these is the problem.