I will try to make this as clear as possible, but I want to first start off by giving a little background and relevant information.

For the past couple of weeks my truck battery will suddenly be dead. I tightened the terminal clamps, that didn't help. I pulled my battery wiring harness completely off with the notion a to replace it, then I realized how much it cost.

Instead, I cut off the corroded ends and put extensions on the cables. When I got ready to connect everything back up I realized I hadn't thought to take note of where everything went on the starter. The solenoid on my starter has 3 posts, one of them I'm fairly sure didn't have anything on it as the nut was still there and was tight. With that being said, I'm also fairly sure I replaced everything as I found it with the exception of a secondary ground coming off the cable that connects to the rear mounting bolt on the starter.

I decided that it came off of the claw type cable holder that was mounted to the frame above the starter, under the battery. I then tried to start the vehicle, it started but it seemed very loud. I thought it was just because it was on jack stands, but about that time I heard the sound of gears binding/ grinding together and I was left only with the sound of my engine. I then turned the vehicle off, and tried to start it again but it wouldn't start - battery dead..

Now this morning I read that when a starter is going out or slipping that it will continually draw power from the battery until it finishes whatever it's doing. My question is, is a bad starter what I have here or could I have rewired something wrong to cause that sound?

 

Updated info, still need help please.