HELP! Stuck a thousand miles from home! (1 Viewer)

[Outbounders]

Stuck in a Walmart parking lot in Tracy California. Rig won't start. It started and ran great, drove from San Fran to Tracy. Stopped for gas and when I got back in, it labored just a bit like the battery was being drained. I came to Walmart and came back out and it won't start. Tried jumping it, replacing the battery, cleaning the connetions. I beat on the started a tad to see if that helped. It won't crank and it doesn dim the headlights when I turn the key. I get one click but that's it. Any ideas? Wondering if maybe it's the fusible links, but don't really know how to diagnose or bypass/fix it to get me home to Texas. A quick fix would be nice so I can labor it home. Please help!

 

[madisonr34]

The fusible links are the bunch of wires connected to the positive battery terminal.
Most likely your problem. Check to see if one of the wires broke off.

 

[PDoyle]

So it won't crank at all?
What's the year and total miles?
Last tune up was when ? Have you ever replaced the starter or its brushes on the starter?

 

[Broski]

If you are getting one click then I don't think it's a fusible link, new Battery one click sound like a bad starter.

 

[jdayment]

Is the CEL on when the key is on the on position? Did you check all grounds? All wires hooked up to the starter?

 

[scottryana]

Check the EFI Fuse, and EFI Relay. EFI fuse if I remember right is a 10amp fuse, on the far right side of the fuse box under hood.


* edited
Oh didn't read that you were actually getting a starter click, disregard the EFI fuse you won't get anything if it is popped.

 

[450LX]

Im guessing starter too. It may cool down enough over a few hours and start right up. I had the same problem on my Montero. Worked fine and then nothing. Waited a few hours and it started up. I replaced the starter after a few of these episodes and works perfect now...

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

If it's not cranking over and you're hearing a solid "click" when you turn the key, grab your tire iron and give the starter motor a good whack

 

[sea bass]

check your starter connections, starter relay probably a bad starter

 

[jonheld]

If the STARTER is NOT cranking the motor, this has NOTHING AT ALL to do with the EFI circuit/relay/fuse. The STARTER circuit is COMPLETELY separate from EFI/ECU control.

If the starter gives a good solid "clunk" sound when the key is turned to START, then your starter logic is working correctly and the solenoid is energizing, but the contacts are worn and need to be replaced. Or simply replace the starter. Keep the old one and rebuild it with new contacts and plunger for a few $$.

 

[maxamillion2345]

You dont want to pass over the sierras this morning anyway.

 

[450LX]

I lived in Texas once for a few months. You might want to consider your truck breaking down 1000 miles from Texas a blessing and grow your roots wherever you are at now!

 

[Tools R Us]

Sounds like dead starter contacts.

 

[Outbounders]

So aside from beating on the starter, there is no quick fix to get it home so I can rebuild? I appreciate all the responses and help.

 

[450LX]

Swap the starter with a cheap one from autozone and get home. Once you get home take it off and clean it up and return it and rebuild yours.

 

[team420]

Find a willing innocent bystander. Have them turn the key while you whack the starter. That should get it going.

Alternatively... if you can't find someone to help, go buy a pair of vice grips, turn key to start position, and attach vice grips, the weight of the vice grips should hold the key in start position, open passenger side door, and whack starter, as soon as it starts, hustle to get key back to run position.

I've used this trick on numerous occasions, and now keep a pair of vice grips in my truck just in case. Being a thousand miles from home and in a Wal mart parking lot is one thing, but when you're 500 miles from home, and on a dirt road 75 miles from the nearest house or paved road, you come up with creative ways to get yourself going again.

 

[cc93cruiser]

Swap starters, literally a 30 min job, IF you have a basic tool set with ya

 

[Qball]

Just give the starter a good beating with anything you can find and try again. Happened to me and that's all it took.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I lived in Texas once for a few months. You might want to consider your truck breaking down 1000 miles from Texas a blessing and grow your roots wherever you are at now!

Agreed! F$&@ Texas!

Starter is an easy fix. I was intimidated by it before I did my first one. I had to change mine out in 5 degree weather and it still wasn't that big of a deal.

 

[cruiserdan]

Be prepared for the starter to hang up. worn contacts can also stick together. Have tools ready to disconnect the NEGATIVE battery terminal if the starter fails to disengage.