Truck won't start, and can't pinpoint why
 

I'm scratching my head on this one. The truck won't start at all. Won't even turn over. I replaced the batteries and starter about 4 months ago (PACCAR deep cycle batteries, and Mitsubishi starter). When I turn the key to start it, I get nothing but a single click. I spent the past few hours charging the batteries off the generator, thinking they were low. The gauge is reading 13.5 volts when I turn the key to the "on" position, and all the lights and accessories are working properly.

I'm thinking it might possibly be the ignition switch that took a dump on me, because I noticed the other day that I could pull the key out when the truck was running. Having never had to replace an ignition switch, I honestly don't know if that would cause this problem.

Any ideas on what might be causing this?

Sounds like the ignition switch could be a possability. To test and find out, you will need to crawl under the truck and take a jumper wire from the small terminal on the starter solenoid (which comes from the ignition switch) and jump it to the big terminal which comes straight from the batteries. This will engage the starter to verify it is still good and the batteries are fully charged. It could also possibly be a clutch switch if your truck is one that has to have the clutch depressed to start.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7...go/starter.jpg
This is a pic of the exact same starter that is in my truck.

So you're saying I should jump from the post on the top (on the solenoid) down to the post coming out of the starter itself?

do you have to push a button to start it? if so, it's the relay on the firewall,sometimes it stops in a dead spot, you can usually get it going by either hitting it with a small hammer or jumping it, if you dont have a button, then jump it at the starter as suggested

1. You know that little panel behind your clutch pedal that you kick all the time? Pull that off and swap your starter relay for another relay in the box, like your trailer light relay. If it works it should be as simple as replacing the relay.

2. If step 1 fails you, jump start the starter. if that works more than likely your solenoid is bad. Replace that.

3. If it is still being stubborn, replace the ignition switch. It is not unheard of but pretty rare in my experience that it would fail. One of my trucks is an 83' shaker and the key does not even stay in but it starts fine. I can only imagine what our pacar friends would charge you for an ignition switch.

It was the solenoid. A guy that I happened to save from hitting another truck this morning came over with a large piece of wire and helped me jump the solenoid.

Now the million dollar question will be - will Peterbilt honor the warranty if I can't reproduce the problem?

Have the solenoid posts checked Rev. What you just described was the problem I was having with my Cat starter last year. It turned out that the solenoid was bad. The Hot post was lose inside the case and was shorting out from time to time. Fire waiting to happen.

Can you make that happen for me? Please? :)

Is it that bad up that-away?

you're asking the wrong guy, rev is the fire expert