QuestionQUESTION: last week I shut my truck off at lunch came back out from store to start the truck and the fuse box under the hood just clicked starter turned over strong but would not start I do not hear the fuel pump kicking on Island plug the battery notif you realize around hope the battery backup and it started it did not do this again for about 4 days then it did the same thing so I done the same thing and after letting it sit for a couple hours it started again this happened once more and then something new happened it died going down the road seems to take over night tostart againthe fuel pump is not a year and a half oldthe last time it started and I drove it I noticed the check gauges light came on in the voltmeter was reading 0 after going a few miles it just started working again and the light went off tf4hen another few miles it shut off going down the road it has not started since I put another fuse box out of a 2000 model 5.2 out of a junkyard and it still did the same thing is that because the computers not compatible or because my problem I'll be sleep somewhere else if you can help me please thank you
ANSWER: Hi Chris,
I would begin by trying to get a fault code readout from the engine controller. Turn the ignition switch: "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the speedo to see if the mileage is replaced by a 4-digit number preceded by a P. Let me know what you find and we'll go from there.
Roland
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QUESTION: okay I had done what you said and the read the odometer read out came back no bus now what
ANSWER: "no bus" means that the digital communication from the engine and body computers is not getting to the instrument cluster. Hopefully that would not stop the engine from running; it does explain why 0 volts showed while you were running in the recent past. Do you or don't you hear the fuel pump run for a second or so when you turn the key to the "run" position? That had to be heard or means you don't have a fuel supply.
Roland
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QUESTION: I do not hear the fuel pump kicking on and the fuel pump relay and the ASD relay seem to be the areas the fuse box is clickingit will not start when it is clickingthe start er turns just fine though
AnswerI would wonder if the fuel pump relay is faulty, and/or the ASD relay. Relays normally only click repeatedly when the voltage that is available to close the relay switch is below normal, such as when you have a partially discharged battery. However you say that the starter motor turns over the engine well so that should mean the battery voltage is not too bad. However it could be that battery is weak so the voltage is dropping too much while you are cranking it over. If you have a battery charger and can plug it in nearby then I would try charging up the battery.
Or see if you can get a "jump" to your battery from another vehicle.
The other possibility is that the clicking relay(s) is faulty. Put your fingers on the various relays while a helper tries the starter to identify which exact relays are clicking. Then try switching out those relays that click with other relays in the power box that have the same size/part number to see if that stops the clicking and restores the fuel pump/ASD action (assuming those are the relays that are clicking. Tell me which relays exactly are clicking if you can't get that to stop. If one is the fuel pump relay then check fuse #9 in the fuse box in the cabin as that fuse might have a crack in its internal wire which is opening/closing.
In any case, we have to either get the battery recharged or the clicking relays substituted out so that you have a necessary relay situation that assures you have ASD and fuel.
Please rate my answer and consider giving a 'yes' where you see the question about a nomination of me for 'volunteer of the month'.
Thanks,
Roland
