I have a 92 4.9L 4x4 extended cab; won't start. Jump start did not work. Removed battery and cleaned connections, didn't start. Charged battery manually, didn't start. Checked volts on battery, seems to be holding them just fine. Cleaned what connections on the starter I could reach without pulling it down, didn't seem to help.

When I turn the key, a single, loud click comes from area of solenoid (fender mounted near battery). I haven't owned the truck very long, and have never had a car with fender mounted solenoid. Everything I've ever owned, solenoid/starter come as a package type deal.

The question is, does the single click mean solenoid is good and the starter is the probable cause, or does the single click mean the solenoid is bad?

Any help would save me about 14 towing miles and ton of stress (supposed to drive it 5 hours to VA at 5pm today).

 

i say your solenoid is shot....

 

I hope so, its so much easier to get to that little guy...

Keep the advice coming please

 

Check your ground cables as well......

 

I have an oil leak problem (gotta replace pan and gasket), and right now the oil is blowing back onto the front of the tranny mounts where the battery is grounded, directly underneath the starter. I tried to clean it as best as I could. The oil has been leaking for a long time though and it hasn't affected the ground yet, which makes me think that probably not my problem.

 

Before you start diving too deep into the problem, give the starter a good solid thump with a big crescent wrench. There's a good chance your truck will turn right over.

 

Will the engine turn over using a wrench on the crankshaft pulley, this will eliminated a frozen or locked up engine.

The single click means the solenoid is locking in place, but does not eliminate the solenoid being defective.

Be extremely careful with this one, with jumper cables, connect the positive directly to the starter eliminating all wiring.

 

What about shorting the solenoid? Throw a wrench between the two prongs, crank. If she starts, thats your problem.

 

Replaced solenoid, still no go. On vacation for the next week, so it'll have to wait til I come back. Still one single click from the solenoid. Gave the starter a few good whacks with a wrench, didn't help. I also removed that oil covered ground from the battery to underneath the starter and cleaned it up, wire brushed it.

More info: When I turn the key, all indicator lights function fine, fuel pump kicks on...(I have dual tanks so I've even switched from front to back once or twice)

Does anyone think it could be the alternator or PCM?

 

Doubt the altenator since the battery is holding a good charge and staying that way. I also doubt the PCM cause chances are you wouldn't have had anything come on (ie dash lights, fuel pump) if it were bad.