95 2dr cranks but no start

[JDFabworks]

This morning I came out to the truck to find a dead battery. I noticed my vanity light was on all weekend. So jumped the truck. It would only crank over. It never fired up. It tried to fire a couple times but wouldn't stay running for more than a second. I have fuel. I didn't have time to check spark. I had to get to work with a friend. So when I get home this evening I'm going to try and check for spark. Is there any other Avenue to check besides the spark. Knowing battery is charged and I have fuel? Thanks in advance!

 

[lesterl]

Try a battery first, if your voltage is too low (like when cranking over a jump start cable the voltage wont be high enough to run the truck)..... (either charge it well or replace it in other words.) Keep in mind carb cleaner into the TBI will assure that you have a fuel to burn, if NG there need to pull a wire and check spark.

 

[JDFabworks]

Ok, now that I fixed the battery issue I am having another starting issue. I now get nothing when turning key. The dash lights come on when I turn key but nothing when trying to turn over truck. I wiggle key, turn back to ACC, radio comes on fine, etc.. Turn key 5+more times and it starts fine. It's completely random. Next time I go to start, it could start just fine. Not sure if it's an ignition switch, neutral switch or some other ignition component. Again any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[MO Viet Vet]

Ok, now that I fixed the battery issue I am having another starting issue. I now get nothing when turning key. The dash lights come on when I turn key but nothing when trying to turn over truck. I wiggle key, turn back to ACC, radio comes on fine, etc.. Turn key 5+more times and it starts fine. It's completely random. Next time I go to start, it could start just fine. Not sure if it's an ignition switch, neutral switch or some other ignition component. Again any help is greatly appreciated!

When you say you get nothing when you turn the key that makes it sound like the engine is not turning over. It is either no crank or crank and no start. Then you say after trying 5 times the engine starts. Do I have the scenario correct? If is in fact cranking and no start then as lesterl said you need to check and see if you have no spark at that time or no fuel at that time. If have both then the problem could be any number of other things. Please report back when you have more details. Your story makes it sound like you may have 2 problems. Sometimes you try to start and the engine will not crank and at times it does crank and not start. That would be 2 completely different problems.

 

[JDFabworks]

Yes. I go to start truck and it does not crank, no ticking, nothing. Then the next turn of the key it could crank over and fire right up like nothing was wrong. Battery is good and fully charged . I have fuel and spark. So I am assuming it is ignition related or ?

 

[MO Viet Vet]

Ignition is when the engine is cranking and then the ignition components take over and provide the spark for the engine to fire off and start. What you are describing is the cranking system. Always starts with the battery and it's connections. Is the battery new? Is the connections clean and tight? Is the cables in good shape? Is there corrosion built up under the insulation causing a large voltage drop to the starter? Is the ground cable good? Are connections at the ground cable at engine tight and clean? Is the starter cable connection at the starter clean and tight? May have a neutral safety switch/range selector switch problem? Is the starter failing? Have a friend try cranking the engine, when it does not start, and check voltage at the starter. May have ignition switch problem? If you have a tilt steering wheel does it maybe crank every time you have the wheel in one position and always messes up in another position? Still want the codes, too.

 

[lesterl]

There is a relay for the starter, would check that, the ignition switch, the starter, connections to the battery....