78' scottsdale wont start

92Jag · 03-08-2006, 11:40 AM

Here is the problem the truck was running fine until just a few day ago when I went to start it and all I got was a click click click click . . . Whats up is the starter bad?

mrjohnwayne · 03-08-2006, 02:25 PM

sounds like battery. Check voltage across the posts. should be around 12.5 volts

92BlueZ71 · 03-08-2006, 02:50 PM

yeah either your battery is bad or your alternator went out and your battery lost charge the last time you drove it

92Jag · 03-08-2006, 11:59 PM

I forgot to mention that I had a battery charger hooked up and got the same results and the battery was ok. So should I replace the alternator and is there some way to test to see if it's bad before replacing?

project88 · 03-09-2006, 03:04 AM

its the starter, or bad ground connections to the starter. An altenator will not make a vehicle not start, its just the battery wont charge.

chevyguy · 03-09-2006, 11:00 AM

Try to jump start it, If it starts remove the negative battery cable while its running, If it dies then its not charging, If not then you have a bad connection. Dont just blindly replace parts, diagnosis your problem and replace the bad part.

92Jag · 03-09-2006, 01:55 PM

Jumping it did not work so that leaves the starter right? Let me know if I should replace it. Thanks.

92BlueZ71 · 03-09-2006, 03:14 PM

yeah like chevyguy said a sure fire way to check your alternator is to pull the ground cable off the battery with the motor runnin and if it stays runnin than you got a good alternator, if it dies your alternator is bad.

mrjohnwayne · 03-09-2006, 04:40 PM

I would have the starter tested. not hard to remove on those trucks and it is a simple test at any auto parts store.

92Jag · 03-10-2006, 12:03 AM

I am not able to tell if the alternator is bad or not because I can't start the engine yet but when I get it started I will check it. Can I test the starter my self if so how do I do that? Take it off and connect jumpers to a battery and then to the starer?

03-08-2006, 11:40 AM	#1
92Jag Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 32	78' scottsdale wont start Here is the problem the truck was running fine until just a few day ago when I went to start it and all I got was a click click click click . . . Whats up is the starter bad?

03-08-2006, 02:25 PM	#2
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	sounds like battery. Check voltage across the posts. should be around 12.5 volts __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

03-08-2006, 02:50 PM	#3
92BlueZ71 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 117	yeah either your battery is bad or your alternator went out and your battery lost charge the last time you drove it __________________ CHEVROLET "Friends don't let friends drive a Ford" '92 Ext. Cab Short-Wide Z71 '62 Short-Stepside C10

03-09-2006, 11:00 AM	#6
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,160	Try to jump start it, If it starts remove the negative battery cable while its running, If it dies then its not charging, If not then you have a bad connection. Dont just blindly replace parts, diagnosis your problem and replace the bad part. __________________ When i die, i dont want to walk gracefully thu the pearly gates and turn in a unused body. i want to go sliding thru sideways and turn in a body that has been completely used up.

03-09-2006, 03:14 PM	#8
92BlueZ71 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 117	yeah like chevyguy said a sure fire way to check your alternator is to pull the ground cable off the battery with the motor runnin and if it stays runnin than you got a good alternator, if it dies your alternator is bad. __________________ CHEVROLET "Friends don't let friends drive a Ford" '92 Ext. Cab Short-Wide Z71 '62 Short-Stepside C10

03-08-2006, 11:59 PM	#4
92Jag Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 32	I forgot to mention that I had a battery charger hooked up and got the same results and the battery was ok. So should I replace the alternator and is there some way to test to see if it's bad before replacing?

03-09-2006, 03:04 AM	#5
project88 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 135	its the starter, or bad ground connections to the starter. An altenator will not make a vehicle not start, its just the battery wont charge.

03-09-2006, 01:55 PM	#7
92Jag Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 32	Jumping it did not work so that leaves the starter right? Let me know if I should replace it. Thanks.

03-09-2006, 04:40 PM	#9
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	I would have the starter tested. not hard to remove on those trucks and it is a simple test at any auto parts store. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

03-10-2006, 12:03 AM	#10
92Jag Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 32	I am not able to tell if the alternator is bad or not because I can't start the engine yet but when I get it started I will check it. Can I test the starter my self if so how do I do that? Take it off and connect jumpers to a battery and then to the starer?

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