Hello,

This has to be a simple solution......just not sure where to start.

86 2wd pickup.....55K original miles....owned 6 months......starts on a dime, runs like a swiss watch......until a couple weeks ago.

-I would turn the key to START, but it would not start (correct warning lamps on dash are on, but no click/no sound/no starter motor engagement). Then, sometimes, after turning the key back and forth for a while, it would start up the system as normal.

-Now, after a couple weeks of the above, turning the key (even multiple times to start) does nothing. The battery is strong and almost new.

Without looking, I thought:
-Dirty starter motor terminals
-Switch at clutch pedal bad or dirty terminal
-But, my thought is if it is something at the ignition barrel or nearby since initially turning the key multiple times to START would start it. Are there contacts in there that can get dirty, etc???

Any ideas???

Thanks,
Julian

 

Contacts, wire, but most of all: relay.
It's the "click of death" and a common issue.

My solutions is "turn off all lights, radio, turn key 20 times. Sometimes the clutch start cancel switch helps. If that fails, first gear, move the truck so the crankshaft turns a tiny amount, move key 20 times, swear, then it will start.

 

All good ideas, so do an end-end test. Remove the solenoid wire (thin wire) from the starter. Measure voltage to ground when the key is turned to start. I don't think the '86 has a starter relay (with the solenoid current going through the ignition switch), so if you don't get battery voltage it is either the ignition switch, the clutch switch, or the wiring in between. If you do get battery voltage, rig a wire to the solenoid contact on the starter, and connect to the + battery terminal. If the starter doesn't crank, the problem is almost certainly the solenoid contacts.

But I agree the most likely place is the ignition switch itself; you can check that directly by unplugging it under the steering column, and checking with your ohmmeter. The switch can get dirty, but they can also beat themselves to death. Particularly without a starter relay.

 

Do as scope says above illustrated here and let us know.
Once you have verified that starter solenoid works well, continue below...

If it's an auto, I bet it does not have a starter relay . BAD.
If it's a manual but before MID-1986, I bet it does not have a starter relay. BAD.
If it's a manual and mid-86 or later, I bet it DOES HAVE a starter relay. BAD because I'm sure that starter relay is wired wrong. LOL!
Here's how to fix it.

Yes, you thought right; The problem I describe above beats up the ignition switch contacts by making them carry high current (approx 12 amps) needed to energize the starter solenoid, related to what Scope says above.

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replies! Unfortunately, I have had no time to look at anything at all---working 6 days and crazy hours right now! Fortunately, I only have one more week left of that, so then I can start working on the truck and can check on all the ideas you suggested. With only Sunday off right now, it has not been possible......and I am focusing on rebuilding the braking system on the MG.....so it is also in the way of the truck and I cannot get it in the garage!!!!!

That said, I really need the truck in a week or so for a quick trip to pick something up. Pending a proper fix to the problem, and assuming the starter motor is good, can I turn the ignition key to ON and run a battery cable from the positive on the battery to the terminal on the starter??? Or something similar just to start her to get her there and back??? Let me know, and if so where to run the jumper cable to!

Thanks,
Julian