When I tried to start my truck this morning so that I could get to work, it would not start at all. Because we had a pretty cold night here in Denver, I wondered it it might be the battery - I'm guessing not, though, since the windows, locks, stereo, and HVAC controls all still work. I did still get a click when I turned the key, though. I also noticed that it started *a little* harder recently after sitting outside during a cold night.

Keeping in mind that I'm a novice mechanic, can anyone give me some ideas? Places to start trouble shooting?

FWIW, I put a lot of miles on it yesterday and it worked fine all day.

First, check your battery connections, at both ends of each cable. Take them off, and clean them if there is any gunk in there. If there is any sign of a problem, get a jump start and see if the problem persists (indicating a weak battery or such). It might be fine though, now that the connections are good.

If there is no sign of corrosion or loose connection, then the battery is the next suspect. Get a jump and take it to an auto parts store that tests batteries (most of the major ones do). Pick one that sells batteries at a good price <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If that still checks out good...get back to us.

Already did that and saw no problem. The connections are absolutely clean and the battery was new when I bought the truck (with only 49,000 miles on it) in July. In fact, I figured that the battery was probably ok because all the accessories were still working. I guess, though, that it's possible that it had enough juice to run the CD player, but not start the motor, huh?



I would have tried to jump it off my wife's CR-V, but she had to take my daughter to school. I have pulled the battery and will take it to the shop next to my wife's place of business to see if they can test it. I just have this feeling that it probably is the battery and I jumped the gun posting this. I'll let ya know...



Not to worry, mi amigo... not to worry. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Even if all the accessories work the battery still may be bad. It takes a lot of work to start an engine. Top the battery off with distilled water and charge it. Then have it tested again.

You'll have to pardon me - I'm a little embarrassed now...

Took the battery to a local parts store and they tested it for me. They tried to charge it twice and it wouldn't charge either time. So, there's a new Duralast battery under the hood and everything appears to be working fine now.

I guess since I used one of my sick days and have the rest of the day off, I might as well Seafoam it and change the oil, eh?

Thanks for your help, guys. I feel like Chicken Little now - a post for what amounted to nothing, really. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Sorry.

Heh, last month my DD battery seemingly went out while it was sitting in the driveway...at least I wasn't stranded away from home. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Ok, the problem is back. Same scenario, but with a 1-month-old battery; the truck sat outside overnight, I got in, tried to start it. Nothing. No click, no sound of an engine struggling to turn over.

I'm guessing that the alternator is bad, but I'd like to hear some input from the rest of you. I'll remove the battery this afternoon and get it charged. I guess that while I'm at the parts store, I'll check out the cost of a new alternator, too.

Just had the battery tested and it's fine. Might it be the starter? That could explain why nothing happens when I turn the key from accessory to on, right? Or would that be the ignition switch? Any ideas? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Manual tranny - have you checked the clutch interlock to make sure it is working? Only other thing I can think of other than the alternator would be to check the battery cables to make sure there is no corrosion built up on them or even underneath the cable right by the cable end. Also, would be worth the time to check and make sure the ground cable is actually well-grounded and the other wires that are on the starter are firmly attached.

Other than that, checker and autozone (and Pepboys) all have equipment that they can use to test your alternator and your starter, too (IIRC). You might have to remove it and take it in though.

If you are having problems, and need some help, give a shout here or on the Trailseeker board and see if someone can help.

Wouldn't even pretend to begin to know how to do that. What exactly would I be looking for? Where is it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />



Checked all that last month when I replaced the battery, then didn't drive it much over the holidays. I wouldn't imagine that it could have changed that much.



I'll have to crawl under it tomorrow and see if I can do that. Where is the starter on this motor? I could find it with my eyes closed on my old 2.6 Trooper, but I don't have a clue yet about the workings of this motor.



Will do. Thanks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />