Oh no

[napria]

Our faithful 2004 Chevy 3500 gasser hasn't been started and run regularly since we ended the RVing season for the year after our Thanksgiving trip. My husband realized this last weekend and decided to take it to run errands. It wouldn't start so he used his car instead.

Today, he decided to try again and fully charged the battery. It still won't start. He tried to start it directly and he said it made horrible noises. He thinks we'll need a starter. We'd both love a new truck, but that's just not feasible right now. I hope this doesn't end up costing too much. We've got our next trip in April.

[BB_TX]

I am not sure any of us can really help much troubleshooting via the forum, but would help with the guesses to have more info.

When he tries, does the engine turn over but not start running?

Or does it just make noises but the engine not turn?

What exactly do you mean by "tried to start it directly"? Jumped the starter?

[napria]

It doesn't turn over, just makes loud clicking noises and a thumping sound. He used his battery charger, directly hooked up to the truck to start it.

[7.3Ford]

Ann,

That sounds more like a battery than started. You can drive or take the battery to Auto Zone or Advance Auto, and they will load test if for free. If you buy a battery from them, they will install it for free too.

[Irlpguy]

Loud clicking noises and thumping noise sounds like a poor battery "OR" corroded connections which very often happens when a vehicle sits for a fairly long time. The clicking noise is the starter solonoid trying to kick in and the thumping may be the starter gear occasionally engaging with the flywheel..

Check the battery, and connections, including the one to the starter.

[Tom S.]

If the battery is original, it has outlived it's normal life - by a lot. In battery years, an eleven year old battery would be about 120.

Have it load tested at any auto parts place to confirm that hospice needs to be called in.

[dunrovin1955]

Call the man aunt Bea, Just call the man!!!!