Hey,
After figuring out the clickling problem on my own after about 2 weeks of fiddling... My truck doesn't start agian. This time when I try and turn it over, instead of a click I get a long screeching noise (like when u turn the key when the trucks already running). Sometimes after 3-4 trys it will turn over normally.

I had this problem on monday, and im in this girls yard... she had just walked me to the door, so I know she was hearing/watching, and my truck just screeches... I try and bump start but im only one man (it worked be4 w/ the clicking). So just for the hell of it I try again and it starts. Im driving to school fast (im late) and I see my temp gauge go from 1/4 to red in about 3 mins. The coolant top pops off and steam goes everywhere right as I was coasting into my school parking lot (I thought I blew my engine). So I take a look at the inside and my fan belt it shredded. I get a belt and replace it in the parking lot... and everyhitng is fine (better than before) for two days. Well this evening after class, I get in my truck and turn the key. vvrrrnnup.. doing it again, its startes after the 3rd try and I get home and post this thread. I checked the belts and they are fine, but my - clamp on my battery was a little loose (not off, just loose) I re-tightened it and didn't try to start my trcuk (its loud and 12am), but I gotta get up early for school tomorrow, any tips on fixing this quik?

Im still learning about my truck, and I don't know if this is a common problem for all cars, and if its something stupid I can fix. The belts are all adjusted with the right amount of play, but my starter belt is not new (its in good cond.), just my fan belt. I've never had an engine problem w/ my truck besides for the dumb ignition coil and starter (132k).

I don't wanna bump start at school tomorrow Thanks.

 

if the battery clamp was loose that could definately cuase the problem, its highly possible that the belt being shredded was just its time to die

 

and the starter doesnt have a belt...... the starter sits on the flywheel or the flexplate

 

Not sure what you did to fix the "clicking" problem, but I'll bet it is a problem with the copper contacts inside the starter solenoid. When worn they can cause the clicking problem you mentioned AND they can case the solenoid plunger to not fully engage the bendix gear with the flywheel and that can make the screeching sound you describe. Remove the starter and have a look at the contacts inside the solenoid:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

Thanks

I cleaned up the contacts to get rid of the clicking noise. I tightend up the neg. side, and made sure my new ground wire was getting good contact to the body, and I haven't had any problems with the starting today. I bought some new clamps for my battery and installed new connectors, new ground wire, and greased up the connections, hopefully that solves the problems for a long time.

I geuss I wasn't looking close enough. The front belt...