Starting progression

[Ronnie1972]

What's your normal progression to determine the issue when your vehicle isn't starting? My truck is acting pretty poorly in that it's not just firing up. I tries to turn over, but just won't catch.

Oddly, when I jumped it (as the battery had run down) it fired right up. But after replacing the battery, it went back to the same old thing. I did recently replace the points with a pertronix, and I'm pretty sure it's getting fuel.

I was thinking battery--->alternator--->starter (only because the alternator seemed easier to get out than the starter). There may be something else in there (solenoid?) that I should check too. I was just trying to figure out what a good step by step would be.

i have noticed that in the past sometimes it would try to start but never turn over and eventually throw out a grinding type sound (machine gun fire?) like it was already started. Doesn't always do that though.

Thanks for any reply.

[SteveC]

more than likely start with the start selinoid on the inner fender the check the starter you might also check the wires going from the starter selinoid to the starter. It may be just a simple bad wire causing the problem
check the cable---->selinod----> starter

My ltd does that every once in a while i know the problem just dont want to fix it since i wont be driving it much longer.

If im wrong im sure someone else will chime in and correct me

[seattle67]

Ronnie,
I would start by cleaning and tightening the connections on your battery cables, all the connections, including at your battery, at the start solenoid, the starter, and your ground wires too, all the way to the connection on your block.

See if that makes a difference, then we'll go from there.

[Ronnie1972]

I'm just going to replace the battery cables, since they're pretty hinky looking by this point.
I did notice however something that appears to normally be connected to the solenoid that is not connected. I don't know what it is though. Somehow my repair manual has decided to exclude any part that I will ever actually want to know...

Would someone mind telling me what this is and if it should be plugged back in? As much fun as just plugging it back in sounds, when it comes to vehicles I'm more of a "ask twice, pray thrice" kind of guy.

Mystery Part: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/29 ... 3750QRXIcc

Mystery Part's lonely plug: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/27 ... 3750pogyDe

[Thunderfoot]

That is the horn relay and connector for it... I take it your horn don't work.

[Ronnie1972]

DANG! I just knew I had found what was causing my problem (sigh).

Oddly, the horn DOES work. It's somehow wired differently (not to the steering column, but to a button near all of the other knobs (windshield wipers and such). Not sure why the previous owner did that one. Oh well I'll keep at it then.