Truck will not start all of a sudden

[jentzschman]

I think it's either the battery, starter , or starter solenoid. My question is, when I turn the key, the starter clicks but I can see light smoke from the positive battery post. I was not able to work on it much add I had to get too work, but I was more curious about the light smoke from the positive battery post. If the starter our solenoid were fried, could that somehow cause the light smoke?

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[Unimog]

Not likely - A bad solenoid is most likely to not draw enough power. The most likely cause with smoke is a bad connection. Most likely causes for bad connection are corrosion, loose connection, or bad cable.

 

[Spork]

I'd clean the posts, the stock terminals are thin, if they aren't holding tight I would replace them. I replaced mine with some aftermarket ones similar to http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...y+terminals_-1_3678&keyword=battery+terminals

 

[sixstringsteve]

I had a similar issue after I washed my truck once. It had formed a small coating of rust in a couple hours, and prevented it from starting. I removed the terminals, hit it with some sand paper, and it was as good as new.

 

[Marsh99]

I'd clean the posts, the stock terminals are thin, if they aren't holding tight I would replace them. I replaced mine with some aftermarket ones similar to http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...y+terminals_-1_3678&keyword=battery+terminals

X2

 

[jentzschman]

As usual I forgot to add that I changed the positive terminal. I will try a trickle charger tonight and see if it's just a dead battery. Also, the dash light come on and well as the stereo and the keyless works as well.

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[sixstringsteve]

when did you change the terminal? Right before this occurred, or a while back? Could it be the cause of the problem?

 

[jentzschman]

when did you change the terminal? Right before this occurred, or a while back? Could it be the cause of the problem?

changed it just today. I broke the old one trying to loosen it to get it off to clean it.

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[jackjoh]

Whenever battery cables do not come off with medium force use a battery cable puller, looks like a small c clamp with a screw in the top, it will save you much trouble later on. All the above are good suggestions.

 

[jentzschman]

Thanks for all the input. I hope it's just a dead battery but the smoke from the positive battery post is what got me alarmed.

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[sixstringsteve]

The smoke could just be corrosion. Your battery may be just fine. Do you have a volt meter to measure it?

 

[jeeper]

Bad connection for sure.. IMO

 

[jentzschman]

Bad connection for sure.. IMO

I had a similar issue after I washed my truck once. It had formed a small coating of rust in a couple hours, and prevented it from starting. I removed the terminals, hit it with some sand paper, and it was as good as new.

It was indeed the battery post and the cable ends. I took some sand paper to them and it worked great. I am going to take the dremel to it tomorrow to really clean up the cable ends and sand the battery post a little better.

Thank you very much for the help. Sorry if I sounded overly anxious.

 

[sixstringsteve]

oops, I meant to say I removed the cables, not the terminals.