Little Help - 1994 Hardbody Won't Start

[94NTCNAHB]

Hey all,

Sorry to say this is my first post. I was planning on joining soon, just lurking until now.

Anyway, I have a 1994 4CYL M/T 4x4 Hardbody with ~155K miles. Runs good until today.

Got to the parking lot after work and turned the key and nothing happened. Battery, Oil lights on the dash light up, all electrical seemed to work but it wouldn't turn over. Turned it off, back on and it started up. Drove home and shut it off, got up this morning and no luck.

So...Turn the key and I get a click from the solenoid next to the battery, that's it.Doesn't turn over.All electrical seems to work.Battery is good.

Any ideas? Known issues? Things to check quick? Otherwise I'll dig into her tomorrow.

Thanks for the help in advance, I'll hopefully have some pics and a happier post soon.

[jdefelic]

Welcome to Nico! (Most everyone on here is a little )

Sorry, i don't have any experience about the problem (my starter just died, simple fix) other than it sounds like the starter solenoid. Might also check all connections on starter as well since the starter relay seems to be working, means that the starter signal is getting that far.

Good luck! I'm sure someone on here will ahve some experience with this problem.

[nismopu]

Sounds like it could be your key switch itself, does it crank slow when it does crank? My friend had this problem recently and it turned out to be the switch after we replaced the starter inhibitor relay, grounds, cables, and alot of other connections we could think of. His turned out to be the key switch, it does still kinda crank slow but not near as bad as before. peace.

[Zion8561]

I agree that it could be the starter, but before you change anything check the clutch switch...

There is a small rubber "bumper" up on the clutch pedal that activates the clutch switch, if it is not contacting properly (in my case it cracked and fell out) then you will only hear a click but nothing will happen.

The purpose of this switch is to prevent the motor from turing over while the clutch is engaged.

[94NTCNAHB]

Thanks for the info, I'll check the clutch switch this morning.

It's not cranking at all so maybe it's not the key switch.

Side Note: On my old jeep I had bypassed the clutch switch, anyone know the process for doing that on a hardbody?

[94NTCNAHB]

UPDATE.

Ok...I went and checked the clutch switch, it appears to be enginaging properly. I even held it down by hand while trying to start in nuetral, no luck.

BUT...After many turns of the key it started with no problem.

SO, it sounds like maybe the starter solenoid? Is that possible?

[nismopu]

sounds like it could be. it wouldnt be the starter inhibitor switch if you can still hear it clicking. It could still be the starter inhibitor relay though. Its the big blue relay on the passenger fenderwell. Also, to check your starter solenoid run a wire straight from your battery to the plug on the solenoid itself. Its a grey plug with a single blade terminal inside it. peace.

[94NTCNAHB]

Had no time today...I'll try tomorrow night. Thanks for the info.

I did turn the key about 30 times tonight and it finally started, so it's in the driveway now. I'll check the starter tomorrow.

Is there a way to test if the solenoid is bad?

[nismopu]

yeah, i just described how above.

[rye1988]

correct me if i am wrong but on my hb i just took the switch out for the clutch and connected the wires lol now i don't need to put the clutch in to start it but i also found out that vehicle won't pass safety without that switch