Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 7/7/2006

Question
Recently I began having starting problems with my S10. I replaced the battery thinking that because it was the original battery it was probably shot. Well low and behold a month later the truck seems to be having the same problem again. I tried to start the vehicle and all I would get was the clicking sound from the solenoid. I attached a boost box and the truck started right up. I had the battery checked and it was found to be fine and fully charged.

I drove the truck this past week around 150 miles non stop on a trip. The voltmeter seemed normal as in right in the middle as per usual. I was not running any accessories or Air Conditioning. No extra load on the electrical system. When I arrived home later that day all was well. The next morning I got into the truck and when I put the key into the ignition the chime did not even go on. No power on to anything inside the truck, no radio, no ignition lights. Nothing worked as if the battery were completely dead. I then checked the battery with a load meter and it was fully charged! Again I place the boost box on it and the truck started immediately. What could be causing this? The connections to the battery are clean with no corrosion. This car is a florida vehicle and there is not a speck of rust anywhere immediately visible. Could the starter or solenoid be the cause?   Thanks.

Answer
Kirk ;
 HI - I would check all of the batt terms. and cables and check the wires on the starter/selonoid, start from the battery and follow the cable out and check all conections - clean and tighten them and if it still does it- the starter/selonoid is bad.  ok