I just baught a 1988 toyota truck. the guy said the battery was dead. so i charged it and went to start the truck, it didnt start. There isnt any clicking or anything. Nothing happens when you crank it. what could this be? Also Theres a weird white wire going from the fuse box to the positive battery spot. When it is on there and you push the brakes in the lights in the dash and the heating lights come on. When it is not there the lights dont come on? Anybody have anyidea what the problem could be? Thanks for your help.

 

If the battery has been out in the Vermint winter with no charge it is most likely shot.

Did it take a charge???

Have you tried with another battery??

What do the ground cables look like??

The battery terminals??

Sounds like your white wire is some sort of jumper bypassing the fuse but who knows.

It sounds like you have some electrical work in your future.

 

it took a charge but i didnt put it back in for a like a day. I think im going to try another batttery today. If it doesnt start what should i do then?

 

Make sure to use a new or at least "fully charged" battery. You can get a rough idea of the voltage by hooking the battery to the charger (with out turning the charger on) and looking at the volt meter. Also, do what wyoming9 said and check the terminals, cables and ground straps. A bad/ broken/corroded connection can make a HUGE difference! One last thing is to use a portable jumpstart pack or commercial (plug-in) battery charger with the start/start assist option. These provide a high amperage charge at start up to make sure it starts.
It's good to see other people from Vermont on here, good luck with the truck.

 

So today i went and tried to start it and it shocked me because it started to crank but it didnt turn over. I think its some bad gas. and the ignition is messed up because some times it cranks sometimes it doesnt? so i went and got a new ignition today and am instaling it tomorrow when i get out of school

 

It could also be the starter contacts. Very cheap to replace.

 

Well im looking everything over tomorrow because i dont have school. Well it could be that or the gas because it sat for awhile. Your from bethel? isnt that southern vermont? im up in newport by the boarder. Where do you go wheeling?

 

If this is a 5 speed and the clutch switch is not adjusted correct or you didn`t have the pedal pushed in far enough.

It would not allow it to turn over.

 

Oh dam, now that i think of it that might of been the problem

 

also your white wire is the hot wire from your battery to the fuse box,it has to have a good connection or it wont start.

 

Lots of good ideas. Bethel is in the middle of the state, I mostly wheel local class 4 roads and some private property. I camp in the summer in Westmore at Lake Willoughby.