HELP! No start, batt drain, rebuilt starter, new alt

[greif07]

Hey guys. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. So my 4R has been driving me nuts for a while with weird battery drain/charging system issues.

Here's where I'm at now:

Battery - New in 8/13
Alternator - I rebuilt 3/14 with new voltage regulator
Starter - I just disassembled and replaced contacts
Battery Terminals - shiny clean posts with excellent contact


The truck didn't start last week and the starter was clicking (continual clicks, not one single click).
I removed the starter and checked the contacts. I've read the starter rebuild threads and the contacts had barely any wear on them. I had new contacts on-hand from the dealer, so I changed them anyway.

Back together and now I get nothing. I get accessory power and 3 clicks that sound much more like a relay and on the passenger side. Not a starter click. NO go. I'm going to get back under it and check the smaller gauge wire that feeds the plunger via wiring harness and also the battery+ wire.


I'm stuck because the original issue of starter clicking was not due to the starter contacts being worn in the first place.



Also the battery is draining. If it sits for a few days without being started, I have to jump it. Alternator voltage is good at idle, no headlight brightening etc on accel. I have nothing aftermarket hooked up to the electrical system. Everything is bone stock. It had a dealer option keyless entry/alarm that was crap and kept going off, so I ripped that sucker out.

Stuck now in my garage for week 2 cause I can't get her out of the garage!!

Help!!

Thanks

 

[TheDurk]

I know battery is new, but first thing to try is a jump start.

 

[greif07]

Since the battery was drained, I've had it jumped twice today and still no go. No starter click. Just a couple clicks that sound like relay.

 

[541joseph]

Sounds like a security system is interfering with the ignition

 

[TheDurk]

Since the battery was drained, I've had it jumped twice today and still no go. No starter click. Just a couple clicks that sound like relay.

How drained?? If fully drained, I'd swap in a fully charged battery from another car--it doesn't have to fit--just get it on the terminals. (Or take the one you have somewhere and have it charged and load tested.) You may have killed that battery or it may just be too drained to jump. I personally refuse to troubleshoot a 'no start' until I'm 1000% sure of the battery, especially when clicking is heard.

 

[FROGrunner]

There are a few variables that could drain battery, maybe it has a dead cell, maybe there is a parasitic draw from somewhere in the truck, did you check fuses, did you have your batt tested?... Did you have your alternator tested to make sure it's cranking out enough...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Does your vehicle have an immobilizer? (i.e. a little blinking "Security Light?") If so, when you put the key into the ignition, does the light stop blinking, if it doesn't this indicates an issue with the security/immobilizer system.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Since the battery was drained, I've had it jumped twice today and still no go. No starter click. Just a couple clicks that sound like relay.

So the new battery was drained and you had it jumped and it doesn't start.

1. Did you ever fully remove the battery and fully charge it?

A lot of people (no offense) fail at doing a proper jump start on a drained battery. You have to connect it correctly which is not "like for like" AND you often have to keep the source vehicle connected for a few minutes at 2500-ish RPM to let the drained battery charge enough to power the start.

2. One other thing to check ... did you clean your (vehicle side) battery connectors with a wire brush so they are free from corrosion? I had a situation where nothing else solved my start problem then as soon as I cleaned the connectors it fired right up. I was quite surprised because they didn't even look rusted.

3. What is the voltage of the battery, when read DIRECTLY off the battery terminals? (take a simple DC meter and measure this and post here)


Good luck

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd take the battery back to where you bought it first to get it tested. Most batteries these days have at least a 24 month free replacement if it craps out before the stated time.

Have you checked the EFI?

I think fellow member Kyle helped someone with a problem such as yours and it turned out to be the starter relay.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Since the battery was drained, I've had it jumped twice today and still no go. No starter click. Just a couple clicks that sound like relay.

So if you'd like help solving this, I think you have the attention of some pretty smart people here. But you have to answer some questions. Starting with the battery voltage that two members have already asked about.

The "relay" sound you keep mentioning, are you sure it's on the passenger side? Because the only relay involved in starting is on the driver's side.

Is this a 2.7 or 3.4?

Don't worry about the alternator, it won't start your truck. But if you had been jump starting, I'm leaning toward a battery issue. Start there!

:snacker: