Interesting problem with my 96 1500 360" tonight. I know the battery is GOOD. I turn the key to on... and the idiot lights in the dash are very dim. Turning the key to start, nothing. I can hear a buzzing sound coming from the ASD relay. If I pull that relay with the key on, the fuel pump relay starts buzzing.

I have disconnected my aftermarket command start as I thought this might be the problem, but it changes nothing.

Any suggestions? To me, the fact that all of the lights are dim when the key is turned on hints at battery cables/ bad ground? The connections on the terminals were cleaned and that made no difference either.

 

Try turning on head lights see if they are dim. Also did you clean contacts at starter? Did you check all grounds and not just the ones at the battery (block to chassey, front of block behind P-steering, etc.)?

 

The headlights were dim for sure. I haven't checked the connections at the other end of the battery cables yet - its dark and 25 degrees below freezing out there.

 

I had this same issue a few weeks ago. The battery cable ends were so corroded that they fell apart when attempting to take off. You might just need to replace the ends and heavily clean the terminals and that ends. Auto stores sell a terminal cleaning kit that comes with a chemical that neutralizes the corrosion and helps protect the connections.

 

I will replace the battery cables and see.. thanks

You can just use baking soda to clean the terminals. Dissolve some in water, works great. I am a chemist - its an amphoteric compound, it will neutralize both acid and base...

 

You don't ahve to do the whole cables just the connections to the battery. I only got the kit cus I need a terminal cleaner.

 

Water, baking soda and a tooth brush work to clean the corrosion aswell.

 

Got 'er started. Gave all the connections a good clean with a wire brush - now I have a running truck and frozen hands. Awesome!

Thanks for the help!