No Crank

I used my truck last night and everything was fine, ran great. Got in it this morning to go for a drive and no crank. I have lights, instrument panel lights, radio but no crank. I tried jumping, no luck. Cleaned battery connections,which by the way is only three years old still nothing. Removed starter to check for caroaded terminals and found stud from solenoid cracked where the battery cable attaches to.
Replaced starter THINKING this for sure was it and guess what???? Nothing. Any ideas?:banghead:

I used my truck last night and everything was fine, ran great. Got in it this morning to go for a drive and no crank. I have lights, instrument panel lights, radio but no crank. I tried jumping, no luck. Cleaned battery connections,which by the way is only three years old still nothing. Removed starter to check for caroaded terminals and found stud from solenoid cracked where the battery cable attaches to.
Replaced starter THINKING this for sure was it and guess what???? Nothing. Any ideas?:banghead:

Ohmigosh! You bought a starter, and nogo? What a stinker!!!

What was the voltage comin' in to the solenoid? What was the voltage comin' OUT of the solenoid with the key in the ON position?

I have 12.18 volts going to and 11.83 coming out. Had new starter tested and works fine. Frustation is setting in. :mad:

Check the cables themselves for corrosion or embrittlement and all the battery and ground connections, too.

After that, check the starter relay...if you don't hear the starter try to engage, could be that.

Thanks. I tried swapping starter relay with ignition relay...No help. I also checked positive cable from battery and looks real good. I will check ground next and will let you all know.

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.:smile:

I have 12.18 volts going to and 11.83 coming out. Had new starter tested and works fine. Frustation is setting in. :mad:

Hmmm... 11.83V comin' out of the solenoid, SHOULD be 11.83V INTO the starter, since they're almost integral. Better jump it with a screwdriver to make sure.

And since the mount is the ground, 11.83V should make the starter crank (at least engage the flywheel). Should be a little more than that 11.83V tho'.

Get another starter.

1st off, I recommend that you DO NOT try the screwdriver jumper thing. Too many electronics that could easily get wasted.

Need to tell us what year and motor.

Here's a couple of easy things to check.

1. Turn headlights on and try to crank. If they go out or go really dim there's trouble with the batt and/or cables and connections. If they stay on or just dim a bit go to #2.

2. Can you feel or hear the start relay clicking when trying to crank? If not there is trouble with the signal to the relay. If yes there is trouble between the relay and the starter or power coming thru the relay to the starter.

Well, I'm back and finally up and running again. :smile:
Sorry about the no info thing.... 99 Silverado with 5.3.
After checking wiring from the battery to the starter (all good), neutral switch (new), ignition switch (new), ignition relay was showing one post with no power once key was placed in the crank position. This pointed to the ignition switch as the problem and this is the reason it was replaced. Still no crank. SO, after a little more investigating in to the power distibution box what did I find???? At the very bottom was a mouse nest and dog food and a few chewed wires. Bet you would have never guessed that huh? But, atleast I know every other thing is good with the truck.:lol2:
I appreciate everyone's help with this one, you may want to add this problem under the MOUSE NEST PROBLEM in your little black books.

Thanks again.

Well, I'm back and finally up and running again. :smile:
Sorry about the no info thing.... 99 Silverado with 5.3.
After checking wiring from the battery to the starter (all good), neutral switch (new), ignition switch (new), ignition relay was showing one post with no power once key was placed in the crank position. This pointed to the ignition switch as the problem and this is the reason it was replaced. Still no crank. SO, after a little more investigating in to the power distibution box what did I find???? At the very bottom was a mouse nest and dog food and a few chewed wires. Bet you would have never guessed that huh? But, atleast I know every other thing is good with the truck.:lol2:
I appreciate everyone's help with this one, you may want to add this problem under the MOUSE NEST PROBLEM in your little black books.

Thanks again.


I have seen and also have been a victim of rodent damage...especially this time of the year...the stories I could tell...

since I own my property I place traps and bait out to reduce these problems....

because you have had this occur use 1/4in rat wire on the air intake box....