How do I test my starter in my truck?

[indoorsoccerfrea]

My truck won't start. I turn the key, and it clicks once. I tested the battery, it's fine. I checked the wiring, and found a spot where it had been a little melted by the exhaust manifold. I replaced the wire with a new one, and the same problem: one click. Can I have someone try to start the car and lightly tap the starter solenoid? Or is there a way to hook up jumper cables to it directly? Bridge the gap with a key? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Benny]

Autozone will check it for free.

 

[Benny]

Double.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

The trick is getting it there...or are you saying they will drive out to my house and test it?

 

[Benny]

The trick is getting it there...or are you saying they will drive out to my house and test it?

You have no way of towing it? No friends/family with an automobile capable of pulling it?

 

[Dirtebiker]

You can jump the solenoid with a screwdriver, but if you've never done it, you may not want to.

 

[jd4320t]

Is the truck a manual?

Are you battery cables making good connection?

 

[Dirtebiker]

Try jumping it... Sometimes with a weak connection, a little more amperage can start it

 

[BarryJaxon]

I can get ya outta jail,but I`m no mechanic!

Pretty sure most auto places,they have to be removed to be checked
Far from positive tho.

 

[gunman41mag]

You can jump the solenoid with a screwdriver, but if you've never done it, you may not want to.

I don't think he'll like all the spark that will jump at him

 

[Dirtebiker]

Make sure your connections are tight, but careful to not over tighten, especially on the battery posts!

 

[Dirtebiker]

Is your truck automatic tranny or manual?

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

You have no way of towing it? No friends/family with an automobile capable of pulling it?

Don't the front wheels need to be off the ground to tow it? Pardon my ignorance...I suppose we could just hook a tow rope up to it, and I'll sit in it and steer, but I feel that is rather... not a good idea.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

Is your truck automatic tranny or manual?

Automatic. a '98 F-150 is that helps at all.

 

[Dirtebiker]

Where are you located?

 

[Benny]

Don't the front wheels need to be off the ground to tow it? Pardon my ignorance...I suppose we could just hook a tow rope up to it, and I'll sit in it and steer, but I feel that is rather... not a good idea.

I don't know the law, but I've towed someone with a tow rope about 45-60 minutes from his house and passed countless LEO without an issue...Hell, we painted "Car in tow" on his rear window and were followed by a cruiser for a few minutes before he/she turned off.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

I don't know the law, but I've towed someone with a tow rope about 45-60 minutes from his house and passed countless LEO without an issue...Hell, we painted "Car in tow" on his rear window and were followed by a cruiser for a few minutes before he/she turned off.

Oh. Seems to me like there are too many variables, namely involving stopping and starting again. I would imagine it would be rather "jerky" due to both drivers not braking/accelerating at the same rate. I could always give it a try though.

 

[BarryJaxon]

I don't know the law, but I've towed someone with a tow rope about 45-60 minutes from his house and passed countless LEO without an issue...Hell, we painted "Car in tow" on his rear window and were followed by a cruiser for a few minutes before he/she turned off.

They`re pretty cool about it they know times and $`s hard!

 

[jeremy]

Oh. Seems to me like there are too many variables, namely involving stopping and starting again. I would imagine it would be rather "jerky" due to both drivers not braking/accelerating at the same rate. I could always give it a try though.

Braking is done by the driver of the TOWED Vehicle...
Accelerating of course is being fone by only the TOWING Vehicle...

The trick is for the Driver of the TOWED Vehicle to keep the Rope, Chain, Strap, etc, etc... tight...

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

Braking is done by the driver of the TOWED Vehicle...
Accelerating of course is being fone by only the TOWING Vehicle...

The trick is for the Driver of the TOWED Vehicle to keep the Rope, Chain, Strap, etc, etc... tight...

That is simply ingenious... except when coming up to a stopped light in traffic, you better hope the towed-car-driver has a good sense of distance!