Sudden No Start!

[Broosedamoose]

I took my daughter to her MMA class last night and the truck started up and drove fine. This morning I went to start it to go to the store and it just clicks. The battery has 12.9 volts and 580 amps so it's not the battery. The theft light is not flashing so it's not PATS. I took the battery cables off and cleaned them up even though they looked fine. All I can think of is the starter just died. Usually you get some kind of warning before it goes. Anything else I may be missing before I go buy a new starter?

 

[Dirtman]

Hit the starter with a hammer a few times and try again.

 

[Fast Eddie]

you might have run into a dead spot on the armiture but the solenoid may have bit the dust. tap both as insurance. You could try jumping the starter like the old days?
If that gets it started, you know where the problem is.

 

[Broosedamoose]

So I went underneath to hit the starter with a hammer and found the lead to the solenoid was completely corroded through. Luckily there was enough slack to cut it back, attach a new fitting and reattach it. Fires right up now!