[playinginthedrit1982]

High I'm new here but I've been working on trucks most of my life but last year I bought a 1988 ford 7.3 idi diesel and the other day I went to start it in the morning and it turned over but didn't start so I gave it a hit of starting fuild and then it just clicked from the starting siloniod so I got a new one and it still just makes a clicking sound so I got two more and tried both of them same thing just clicks if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated please

 

[Action]

Welcome to the FFO!

What is the condition of the battery(ies) ?

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[playinginthedrit1982]

I just put in two bran new ones and still got nothing but a click at the siloniod

 

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If the starter relay clicks rapidly, time to test/charge the batteries.

If the relay clicks once, other things to look at
poor cable connections
Starer motor issue

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[playinginthedrit1982]

Ok I've cleaned all the battery ends and tested with a light tester and have power all the way down to the starter and it still just clicks once

 

[playinginthedrit1982]

Is it possible for the starter to go out that easy with out warning like that

 

[Action]

A test light only shows that there is enough voltage to light up the light.
Current flow (and alot of it) is needed to spin the starter. Very little current is needed to power up a light.

Anything is possible.

And at this point, not sure you have good batteries or a good starter. Either or both may be bad.
All can be removed and taken to a fast moving parts store for testing.
The batteries really need to be load tested.
Not recommended, the starter can be tested by directly connecting a battery.

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[roadtalker3000]

check the battery to frame ground/block ground. Most important, and critically this will create these
symptoms. Starter can be locked up in engaged mode, so put a socket and wrench/suitable breaker bar on the crankshaft and see if the engine will rotate. Do that with batteries disconnected and ignition off.
If the engine will rotate.Then reconnected batteries and try to crank the engine. If you get the same results, take out the starter and jump it
with batteries.What's the result.
How many miles on truck/starter?