Starter solenoid?

[dranger21]

Last night my truck wouldnt start 2 minutes after i shut it off. I think its just the starter solenoid because it would just click when i tried it. The lights and everything worked but when i jumped it the thing started right up. When i shut it off tho i have to just jump it to start it again. Could this be a weak battery (havent tested it) or starter motor solenoid?
Also today when i went to jump the thing it was dark and the guy touched the wrong terminals on the good car for about half a second until the sparks flew(dont ask me how you screw that up). Now the headunit doesnt work and somehow i hear a rattling noise when i turn the headlights on? What could be messed up with this little mishap? Hopefully just fuses but i have no idea?

 

[PaleBlue90]

check your battery frist. it should read 12 volts. if thats good its probley the other part

 

[swynx]

i tell everyone this but check ur straps, they r a highly missed problem

 

[snake]

A single click every time you turn the key does sound like a soleniod to me as well. For the rest of the stuff, good luck- check fuses first I guess...

 

[dranger21]

well i wasnt guessing that one but it was a simple fix. the battery must have had enough juice to run lights but nothing else. New fuse in the radio and a new battery and everything works fine

 

[Earl43P]

You aren't out of the woods quite yet.

There is a strong possibility that your alternator wasn't charging the old battery.

Take the extra step and either have an AP store test your alternator (generally this is a free service) or use a voltmeter and see 12v with key off and ~14.3v when idling.