'98 Gems 4.0 not starting, looking for advice...

[n8thgr8]

Hey all, I'm clueless on this one, and I'm looking for some advice as to where to start diagnosing...
Thing ran fine all day, on my last stop of the evening, parked, turned off. When I came back maybe 30 minutes later, instead of starting "vrooooom" I got "vr........" and nothing.
Tried a jump, didn't work. Checked the connection to the starter, solid, as well as the fuel cut off switch. Nothing, and now I'm out of ideas.
When I try to start, I get a rapid little "tickticktick" from the passanger side, and some dull dash lights, but nothing else.
I keep this thing really clean, so there's no corrosion on the battery terminals. (it's an optima yellow top I've had for a little over 2 years)
Could this be just a dead battery? If so, why wouldn't a jump start work?

 

[Discoinjapan]

Relay?

 

[n8thgr8]

Ok, that's a good idea, how do I check the relay? Mind you, I'll be doing it in a mall parking lot. (yah, I know it's a stupid place for a disco to break down)

 

[Discoinjapan]

Well... I would suppose you need a volt meter.
Your not stuck there now are you?

 

[Discoinjapan]

Now that I red your post again I would be willing to say the battery has shit the bed but I'm drunk right now so I would wait for some of the others to comment.

 

[n8thgr8]

No, I'm back home searching dweb like crazy. I'll get back to it in the morning.
I'm horrible at this electrical stuff, but getting better the hard way.
I'm finding several threads with similar no start situations, but no real solutions.
What I've found so far is that it could be the starter relay (thanks japan)
or an internal short in my battery.
I'm going to check them in the morning and get back to you guys, good or bad.

 

[Discoinjapan]

So I take it your in Guam Now?

 

[n8thgr8]

Yup, Hafa Adai!

 

[Discoinjapan]

lol. My friend was just here from Guam 2 weeks ago. I will be there on July 15 for about a week.

 

[rmuller]

Try bringing a new battery... my experience with the yellow tops is when they go, they sometimes completely stop working, where a jump doesn't even work.

 

[FB111]

If your getting a tick tick tick from the passenger side your starter relay is working, and probably the starter solenoid as well. I don't think you would hear the starter relay from in side the truck. I think your hearing the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid would not work without a working starter relay.

 

[n8thgr8]

rmuller, Thanks, That's one of the things I'll try in the morning. I've had zero problems with the yellow top until today, but it's almost 3 years old. Any idea on how long they are supposed to last?
FB111, Thanks, I was hoping that that's what the sound I was hearing was, it sounded like it was coming from the right place, just not sure.
Japan, too bad I'll be off island then. I'd buy you a beer for your help.
Try the Mermaid Tavern. Best (and only) microbrew on island

 

[rmuller]

rmuller, Thanks, That's one of the things I'll try in the morning. I've had zero problems with the yellow top until today, but it's almost 3 years old. Any idea on how long they are supposed to last?

I've seen them last anywhere from 1 day to 5 years. Most of them I've seen go in the 2-4 year period.

 

[Discoinjapan]

rmuller, Thanks, That's one of the things I'll try in the morning. I've had zero problems with the yellow top until today, but it's almost 3 years old. Any idea on how long they are supposed to last?
FB111, Thanks, I was hoping that that's what the sound I was hearing was, it sounded like it was coming from the right place, just not sure.
Japan, too bad I'll be off island then. I'd buy you a beer for your help.
Try the Mermaid Tavern. Best (and only) microbrew on island

Ohh........ The Mermaid! I've already heard good about it! And a lot of others

 

[ShortBus]

i had a similar situation with a no start and a relay ticking. eventually I also had the interior lights and door locks start to flutter as well. i wasn't able to jump start it either but it did turn out to be the battery.

edit: is your ticking sound like a relay behind the dash or the starter solenoid?

 

[singingcamel]

clean all connections at the starter,sounds like a bad connection on the selenoid or starter..

 

[n8thgr8]

i had a similar situation with a no start and a relay ticking. eventually I also had the interior lights and door locks start to flutter as well. i wasn't able to jump start it either but it did turn out to be the battery.

edit: is your ticking sound like a relay behind the dash or the starter solenoid?

YES! The interior lights and the alarm and door locks are all messed up too. It sounds like we have now experienced the same thing.
I'm banking on it being the battery then. When I get to it, that's the first thing I'll check.
Japan... I have a list of other places too if you want 'em, What will be bringing you to Guam? (where america's day begins)

 

[n8thgr8]

Yup, It was the battery. Put a new one in, it took a few seconds for everything to reset, and started up like normal. I'll get my alternator and electrical system checked for safety sake next week.
Thanks for all the quick responses guys. It's much appreciated, and I'll be sure to give a holler if I think I can help with anyone else.

 

[Discoinjapan]

Cool. quick fix!

My girlfriends sister is going to betting married there? I will most likely be on the Golf course most of the day and in the bars at night. You by chance know a guy named Howie Burke?

Mike

 

[n8thgr8]

It's a small island, but I don't think I know him. But here there's only about 2 degrees of separation, so I'm sure we have a mutual friend or two.
You'd propbably also like places like Jamacan Grill (I know, wrong hemisphere, but still an awesome place) Sunset Grill, and Jimmy D's (classic beach bar)
Enjoy! TOo bad I won't be here. We could do some wheelin.
n8