Truck Will Not Start

[jsilver36]

When I turn my key the starter solenoid clicks. I have put a new starter and battery in still the same thing happens. Also when I turn the key for a while something from under the dash will start to smoke.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

A bad ignition switch perhaps. It's under the dash on top of the steering column.

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[highdesertrange]

if your solenoid clicks but your starter doesn't turn over the problem is in your solenoid or you are not getting enough juice to your starter. ie bad cable. highdesertranger

 

[350runner]

Sounds like a bad starter to battery cable.

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[rumblebox]

This happened to me today as well. After hitting the switch a bunch of times trying to get a bad starter to turn over, it would stop clicking totally and start smoking from the dash. So i checked the battery and replaced the starter and solenoid. Now it starts immediately the first time, but after taking a trip and trying to start it again, it won't do anything at all and start smoking from the dash again exactly like before. Then after sitting for a minute, it will start immediately.

Could it be anything other than the switch?

Where is the solenoid o

 

[circuitguy]

Sounds like a bad battery cable, try moving the battery cable around a bit.

 

[rumblebox]

The cable is clean. My lights and fuel pump still run at full strength when this happens.

 

[350runner]

The cable can look clean and still be bad. Yes you will still have lights and everything will still work because there is still power supplied. The cable just can't pass the amperage Needed. It's a really cheap cable.
Edit: I'd'll leave the battery disconnected till you repair any burnt parts.
Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[chengny]

In 1974 the NSS was still included in the starter cranking circuit.

The purple/white wire from the ignition switch (START contacts) goes down to the combined (NSS/BU lights) switch. When it comes out of the NSS the color changes to plain purple. Then it's a straight shot to the solenoid.

One thing to keep in mind is that the starter/solenoid group is actually powered by two (2) separate and distinct circuits.

The first one - let's say the control - circuit is the purple wire from the ignition switch to the solenoid. That lead is small because it carries a relatively low load. That circuit's only job is to provide power to the "S" terminal on the solenoid - that power needs only to be sufficient to pull the solenoid plunger in.

The other circuit is the primary - cranking - circuit. That is the one that is most dependent on the condition of the battery cables. That cable is big because it carries huge amounts of current when the starter is cranking the engine over.

When the solenoid pulls in, it does two things:

1. Drives the Bendix out so that the pinion can engage the ring gear

2. Closes a large set of contacts - these connect the starter motor windings directly to the battery positive.

My point is that - if the current flowing through the control/actuating circuit (on the purple wire) is high enough to cause smoking under the dash, there is a problem with either:

1. The starter pinion engaging the ring gear (check for proper pinion to ring gear alignment)

2. There is a large voltage drop across the contacts in one of the two under dash switches - the ignition switch or NSS (check resistance across the switches and inspect for excessive pitting/improper contact)