Another STARTING problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Whats up yotatech, I am getting really ticked off now. I have been having this STARTING issue for a while now, but it seems like its getting worse. on certain days. (when it seems to be cold) when going to start my car, I insert the key into the igintion all of the power lights, radio, headlights, ect all come on. but the engine won't CRANK, I can hear a Clicking sound but no turn over. yesterday after work, it took me 30 mins to get the truck started. something weird happend though. I turned the key and NO clicking sound. but after a while I got some kind of a smooth grinding sound kind of like a 2 ball bearings rolling on top of each other, then i noticed a burining smell. SOOO i gave her a rest and started the car again and she cranked up. but it was a struggle. and it didin't sound pretty, it kept cranking and cranking until the engine caught. what could this SOB BE??? the battery is new, the starter is fairly new. should i check my starter solenoid contacts? where is that located. is the solenoid contact attached to the starter or is it located in a different place? where is it located? P L E A S E help me im going crazy. what could be all the factors causing this? i've checked all posts regarding this but no real pin pointed answer. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!thank you in advance.

The starter and solenoid are all one piece. It sounds like its the starter to me, the contacts go bad and cause it to click like that a few time before they work and it cranks over. I think there is a thread on how to just replace those without replacing the whole starter. Even if its fairly new it can still go bad especially if the starter was a reman. Some car parts are like puppies, they can die young.

Wack the starter with a tie Iron or hammer.

Mine does this to me when ever I get her sunk in mud or water real bad,


My be time for a re-build

I just had my starter replaced due to similar issue. It seemed worse when it was parked outside in hot weather. Now with new starter it starts well and sounds alot smoother on startup. You can replace the contact but I think it requires you to out the starter (there is a writeup somewhere on this).

Starter contacts. Really common problem. PITA to remove the starter on a 2nd gen, but you can do it, and save $200.00
I'm surprised that you didn't find this using the 'search' button...

yup i just did mine today, took a 1-2 hr job and turned it into 5hrs, accidently opened up the cylindrical part? and had a hard time putting that stuff back. also unbolting the starter was a pita.

hmmm....i got the clicking blues too.

Read this page and you'll probably find the answer to the problem:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

Note that there can be a few possible causes, the key check is the voltage at the solenoid control wire, under load, when the starter does not work. If it is not within 0.5 volts of the battery, look upstream from the starter (connectors, wires, relays, ignition switch), otherwise look downstream (i.e the copper contacts inside the solenoid).