Won't start and only 1 click at the starter ?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Darrell

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
126
Reaction score
58
Location
Florida
Hey all,

Have a 95 1500 that won't start and I hear only 1 click as if it was from the starter. I was routinely driving and as I was about to leave home the other day my truck wouldn't start. I had no tale-tale warning of any problems prior. I just finished a complete new rebuild of my 5.7 engine about 6 months ago and everything was brand new right down to the starter. I replaced every electronic part from the eng to trans as well. It was running perfect until the other day and now I'm baffled.

Here's what I've done since this started with no luck:
1) Battery is brand new and the cables are attached solid to the terminals, it's not a battery or lose connection issue at the battery or the starter.
2) Replaced the starter 3 times (A life time replacement) and no results so it's not a starter issue
3) Replaced with a new ignition switch, still nothing
4) Alternator is brand new as it was also keeping the battery charged

I've even tried to jump the started from the post on the starter with a screw driver and I still get only 1 click from the starter solenoid.

I'm totally lost as to what else it could be. It's getting a signal from the ignition switch to the solenoid, hence the 1 click and that's it.

any suggestions would be appreciated
thanks in advance
 

cb20061

Newbie
Joined
Jan 6, 2016
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Mine just did the same thing yesterday. Charged battery all night and checked it its good and cleaned all terminals. Alternator is fairly new 6 months or so. My guess is the starter solenoid has went bad on mine or either a problem with the ignition switch. Mine just clicked once even with jumper cables hooked to my other truck

Sent from my SM-S120VL using Tapatalk
 

Darrell

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
126
Reaction score
58
Location
Florida
My first thought was the solenoid also, reason I replaced the starter three times only to have the same results... 1 click and nothing else. I would find it very hard to believe that I'd get three new starters with all bad solenoids. Ignition switches are about $125 and it's been replaced too. I don't want to spent another $125 and not be the problem. And if it was the problem then what made the new one go bad ?...lost !
 

Bob L

I'm Awesome
Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
1,096
Reaction score
737
Location
Centerville , Ma.
Can you manually turn the engine? I had an alternator seize once and it did the one click then nothing. removed the belt still no crank as the starter was against the flywheel already. Wacked the starter with a hammer and it started right up. Replaced seized alt. and no problems
 

east302

I'm Awesome
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
3,416
Reaction score
3,138
Location
Jackson, MS
Here's a good write up, probably wouldn't hurt to go through it.

http://easyautodiagnostics.com/misc-index/starter-motor-on-car-tests-1

If you have good signal voltage, then your ignition switch is good.

Did you check the voltage drop from battery terminal to starter post? I think it should be less than 0.5V but am not sure. Could just be a bad positive cable if you aren't getting good voltage at the starter post.

Are the battery grounds good? The one on the fender and the one below the tensioner?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DerekTheGreat

Forum Regular
Joined
May 23, 2016
Messages
1,558
Reaction score
1,558
Location
Michigan
Can you manually turn the engine? I had an alternator seize once and it did the one click then nothing. removed the belt still no crank as the starter was against the flywheel already. Wacked the starter with a hammer and it started right up. Replaced seized alt. and no problems
x3 on this. Years ago a buddy and I were told we could keep a 1985 F250 if we could get it out of his friend's yard. Went to go fire it up and "click" Thought the starter was dead, whapped it a few times and tried the ignition a few more times before noticing the belts twitched slightly each time. It was about that time I actually paid attention to notice the flipped air cleaner lid with a shallow pool of what looked to be rat piss in it. Went to turn the engine over by hand annnd stuck. Friend used my breaker bar + cheater bar to spin the engine over by hand twice and it surprisingly fired up and ran well enough to get it to the scrap yard. Would have kept it if it wasn't a "Fred Flintstone mobile" or automatic, hate those in a truck.

Lesson learned: Flipped air cleaner lid bad for long term storage.
 

beardeddummy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
623
Reaction score
132
Location
arkansas
also try jumping the solenoid. so you have the heatsheild on the starter because that could cause the solenoid to keep going out
 

semperfi

Newbie
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
27
Reaction score
6
Location
WNC
Hey all,

Have a 95 1500 that won't start and I hear only 1 click as if it was from the starter. I was routinely driving and as I was about to leave home the other day my truck wouldn't start. I had no tale-tale warning of any problems prior. I just finished a complete new rebuild of my 5.7 engine about 6 months ago and everything was brand new right down to the starter. I replaced every electronic part from the eng to trans as well. It was running perfect until the other day and now I'm baffled.

Here's what I've done since this started with no luck:
1) Battery is brand new and the cables are attached solid to the terminals, it's not a battery or lose connection issue at the battery or the starter.
2) Replaced the starter 3 times (A life time replacement) and no results so it's not a starter issue
3) Replaced with a new ignition switch, still nothing
4) Alternator is brand new as it was also keeping the battery charged

I've even tried to jump the started from the post on the starter with a screw driver and I still get only 1 click from the starter solenoid.

I'm totally lost as to what else it could be. It's getting a signal from the ignition switch to the solenoid, hence the 1 click and that's it.

any suggestions would be appreciated
thanks in advance


Look at you ground wire from engine to frame. Check the wire & the contact surfaces for corrosion. A weak ground will do this. Also, there are (2) contacts in side either the starter or solenoid that get carbon-ed up or the solenoid doesn't pull the matting plunger hard enough. I've had the same issue but am able to keep trying & eventually it makes contact & turns the engine over.
 

Darrell

I'm Awesome
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
126
Reaction score
58
Location
Florida
Update so far, and thanks for all the suggestions.

The grounds are clean and making good contact and the solenoid is protected by the heat shield. The alternator turns freely as well as the engine turns over by hand easily.

After reading east302's diagnostics post, my volt meter is only showing 9.3V at the "S" terminal of the starter while someone has the keys turned to the cranking position. It states that anything less than 10-12V is either a bad neutral safety switch or a bad ignition switch...hmmm !

I already replaced the ignition switch. I'll replace the NSS and see what happens. Stay tuned !
 
Top