starting problem
 

i have an 88 4x4 22re with 295,000 miles on it. it is giving me some starting problems, battery is new, starter and alt. have been tested, but if the trucks sets for a couple of days when you turn the key it will not turn over, hook jumper cables or a charger on it and it starts, but the battery is not dead or low. just seems like it needs a little extra kick, the only other thing i have noticed is that if you leave the fan switch on it doesn't wont to turn over either. any ideas???

Corroded battery terminals will do that. The corrosion slowly builds until it prevents a solid connection. A quick arc, and it blasts away enough to start, only to come back later. First step would be to unhook and clean the posts and clamps.

If cleaning the battery terminals and the ground to the engine block doesn't fix the issue, worn ignition switch contacts could do that too.

Try jumping battery voltage to the small terminal on the solenoid to see if it cranks fine. If it does, a relay triggered by the ignition switch, which supplies battery voltage to that terminal may solve the issue.

I am with Abe on the relay. It is a simple fix, and cured my problem.

I will try the relay as soon as it quits raining, don't think there is any corrosion on the battery or cables they are brand new. thanks for the help guys will let you know if it works

A little testing will help point you to the cause of the problem:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest