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Okay, everytime i go to start my 80 4x4, it wont start without a jump.. changed the battery several times.. it will run after a jump, but if you shut it off it will not start.. swapped the battery with one that will jump start a dead rat and nothing... no starter noise, just the dash lights... i disconnected the radio and and replaced both relays and nothing.. i don't think its the starter or alternator.. any body got any ideas?

Hey 4x4,
Thats sounds like a ignition short somewhere. Try to see if the starter is getting juice when you turn the key. If not see if the battery volts go down when you try to start. (Turn the lights on and see if they dim when you turn the key) If the lights dim the juice is going somewhere. Electrical is not my strongsuit but thats where I would start.
Hope this helps....

Dave

Hey 4X4 do you have the original alternator? If so It sounds like the same problem I had, mine is a 75. It has the original alternator and has an external voltage regulator. You might wanna check it. I was having a problem with my battery not charging back up, it would run fine once i got it started then I guess the VR went completely bad cause I toasted a battery It overheated and was smoking and everything. Well I got the truck home and put in my other alternator and it drained the battery ( had to buy a new one) again I was pissed and the figured out maybe it's the voltage regulator and after 35 bucks for a new alternator (which I did return) and 70 bucks for a new battery..... and last but certainly not least 55 yes........ 55 bucks for the voltage regulator so needless to say I was kinda mad friggin 55 bucks for that stupid thing. lol The thing that mad me so mad that it cost more than the friggin Alternator.

if your starter is still good then you should here a click when you try to start. Other than that try what mr dave said above.

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

I had the regulator go out also, before the swap. Acted like that. wouldnt charge or start. have fun.!

This sounds obvious, but check the battery cables. If it starts on a jump and not on the battery, the cables may not be making good connection with the battery. Worked for me one time.

yeah.....what they said.

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03Cobra

Hey, thanks to all of you. I think you solved a problem I have with my tuff truck racer. Gettin ready for March and couldnt figure out why my truck wouldnt start when I turned the key. Got the click at the starter, but it wouldnt crank. Its 639 am here on a holiday. You all just filled up my itinerary. Thanks

you know what is weird, went out to show my uncle the truck.. he was in the area and never seen her.. and low and behold she started.. teh first tinme i tried to start her all i got was the dash gen light and the such.. then on the second try she rolled over... by the third she was purring... she ran for about 15 minutes... shut her down and then tried again.. nothing... did the same thing i did to get her runnin the first time.. still nothing.. kind trustrating...
where is that relay located on the truck? might try replacing it...

Thanks....

now, i'm really annoyed.. went out and changed teh tires... and tired to fire here up just for fun... Nothing about the third time just for kicks.. she fired... let her run for about 10 minutes.. shut her down.. fired right up 4 times in a row... now this has got me... i guess i have to see if she will fire in an hour or so... just to see... hmm.. let see if i can wake up the neighbors.. exhaust got some holes.. hehe....

What about the cluch pedal? isnt there a "kill switch" located there? how would i disable it?

Disconnect the wires from the switch (right above the clutch pedal), reconnect them directly together, and don't forget to push in the clutch before you turn over the starter.

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Kuranosuke
Grampa's Driving:

1990 Luv 4X4 "Family Cab"
with the big 4 banger on 31" Dueller A/Ts

1989 Dodge Raider with some junk...

"Urban Fighter F.P.C" coming soon to a road near you...
got BOOBIES?

i didnt even think of that. and i had to do that to mine too
bypasses the nuteral saftey switch

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I like my steak like I like my women, young, tender and bloody.

All I need is my weed, women, and wine. -Edge City Outlaws

well now this gets me... found the safety switch.. diabled it no change... must have tired to start it about 5 times.. pumping th clutch.. and trying all sorts of combos... even w/o the clutch engaged - out of gear of course... i know i got the right switch beacuse i hear a clunk under the hood when its hooked up... I then try to jump her with my Chevy Tracker, once hooked up the idle on the Tracker decreases.. Try to start the truck a few more times.. nothing.. left her hooked up, after about a minute of messing with stuff she fired.. shut her down and disconnnected her.. nothing.. but the clunk.. at first it sounded like i need to hold the iginition for a bit, then try again.. but that even didnt work... i think she will only fire after it hooked up to something and running off it for a bit.. got me baffled here....
Any onther ideas?

1980 4x4 - stock.....

Try this: Go to Napa and get two metal clips that you can use, along with a piece of wire, to make a jumper. Make it about a foot long. connect the postive terminal of the battery to the side of the resistor that is on the side of the ignition coil. Turn over the engine. If it starts up, then the relay that shorts the resistor when you turn over the engine for starting is bad. Replace the relay, and you'll be good to go. The only problem is that I have yet to find a replacement for mine.

One other note. Be sure not to leave the jumper connected very long because your ignition coil will overheat. Also, when you go in to start the truck, you may see the warning lights in the instrument cluster on. This is an adverse condition of this procedure and may cause further problems, so don't leave the jumper on too long!

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Kuranosuke
Grampa's Driving:

1990 Luv 4X4 "Family Cab"
with the big 4 banger on 31" Dueller A/Ts

1989 Dodge Raider with some junk...

"Urban Fighter F.P.C" coming soon to a road near you...
got BOOBIES?

uhh yeah you also might try the ignition switch itself the part you put the key in me and almost all of my friends have had to replace these

I agree with 79luv lol I had to replace my ignition block as well I had the same kind of problem mine would do almost the exact same thing yours is doing now. It would probably be a good thing to maybe think about swapping that out The universal ones at Napa and shucks arent to pricey. Hope this helps a little too.

Going to try a remote switch - jumper tomorrow.. i'll let you know if she will start.. If it dont.. I'll pull the iginiton switch off my other Luv... If that is the problem, I can swap out everything and still have 1 key for the iginiton and the doors....

I'll keep you all posted....

I've never had an ignition switch go out on me except one that was destroyed when some loser stole my rusty 77 2WD once. (I found it the same day it was taken, so no worries other than swapping switch/locks to fix it) I have had the resistor and the relay to it go out, but it sounds like you are not getting anything turning over. The resistor and/or relay being bad make it fire while you are cranking, then die as soon as you let off the key. Plugging in another ignition switch is a quick test, so if you have one available I would check it, but my thoughts are already turning elsewhere.

It really sounds to me like a starter solenoid. If you've ever had problems with it just clicking instead of turning over, or you turn the key and it just sits there silently, the solenoid should be your suspect. Quickest solution is a rebuilt starter, or pull one at a junkyard. You can sometimes tear them apart and figure out what it wrong, but it is a lot of work and usually not a very long term fix.

lol.. I might have the old starter from the Luv I'm putting a new engine in... have to grab it when i grab the ignition.. got a few things to try now.. thanks...

well, finally got back out to the truck.. Decided to take the starter in and have it checked... found out the housing on the starter was lose.. actually could spin it a bit.. took it in and the guy at autozone didnt even want to try to hook it up.. sounds like the bushes were misaligned and stuff.. got a new one.. got love them, cheaper then most $34.. guy in front of me had one for a Toyota that ran him $119.. put her in and she starts every time.. Thanks for all the help guys..
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