Here's the scoop. Went wheeling about 2 weeks ago which included 40 miles of dirt road driving, some river crossings (3-4 feet deep) and some crawling.

Recently, I've noticed that when I start the truck in the morning, I get a click, and then nothing. I turn the key again, click, but then the starter turns over and the truck starts as normal. If I drive for a while, it starts fine. If I let it sit for 5-10 hours, same scenario (click, then start).

I've searched and I just got done cleaning and tightening all the contacts on the battery, starter, ground straps, etc.

I think I'm still having an issue. What's next? Starter contacts / starter?

Thanks for your help.

 

Your starter solenoid contacts are shot. It's a simple fix, and the parts are cheap (EBAY). Fix it soon, it will only get worse.

 

Yep, like Yama said. Starter solenoid, starter, or the contacts are bad. A simple temporary fix to your problem would be to hit your starter w/ some form of heavy object. That method should work for awhile until you've save money for a proper fix.

 

Here's the full scoop on the problem, potential causes and a number of repair options:

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

 

I'm having the same problem where the car starts when it's just been driven, but when it's been sitting a while, it has trouble starting on the first time. This morning it took me 4 tries to get it started! I'll try the solenoid fix, but I have another issue:

Sometimes after getting the car started, the RPMs drop down to around 500, and either sit there, or just stalls the car. I can usually get it going by giving it a little gas, but sometimes I have to turn the car off and try again. Any idea as to what this could be?

Thanks!

 

Could be the circuit opening relay, it is what turns the fuel pump on and off.

 

my truck turns over about 6 times before it starts, but it starts everytime with no clicks