symptoms:

intermittent ... turn key only get single loud click from somewhere in the engine compartment ... sounds like near the firewall ...

when it decides to turn on it turns on strong and normal ... no problems



troubleshooting so far:

had battery starter and alternator all checked and tested ... all passed just fine


suspect:

starter relay/solenoid






am i on the right track? is there anything else i shout be checking? is there a way to bypass relay to elminate it as a suspect? where can i get a relay? every damn part store in town tells me it's not in stock and their vendors show out of stock as well ... grrrr


help please

 

ok update ... read in service manual that the relays are standard ... looked in fuse box and found starter relay ... noticed it's the exact same relay as the parking lights and ac condenser fan ... so i switched them to test ... no change ... wtf?!?! what could be making that clicking sound??? is it the starter itself?

 

Check your ground(s)

That click is likely your starter trying to turn the truck over but doesn't have enough current to do so. This problem screams bad ground.

 

It probably wouldnt be your relay if you hear a click... See if you can have someone else attempt to crank it when you listen under the hood. Could be several things... A bad ground is possible, but just as possible as a bad starter, solenoid, battery, etc. Alternator wouldnt really affect the cranking if the battery was tested ok (Meaning it is getting charged by the alt)... Has it been excessively wet or snowing where your at ? If so, grounds/ power wires could be getting wet causing a short. You are on the correct track though. Get a DMM (Digital multi-meter or DVM volt meter) and measure your voltage at the red wire going into the starter when you turn the key to start.

Heres what MItchellOnDemand Says:

 

try having someone turn it and tap the starter with a hammer. If that makes it turn over its the starter motor.

 

thanks guys ... will give it a shot and come back to update