98 K1500 will not start(just Clicks and Clicks and Clicks!!

I have a 98 k1500 with brand new starter and a battery with what i believe to have ample voltage (little over 12). It will not turn over just has a clicking noise. I did notice some smoke coming from the battery terminals while attemting to crank engine. I had the old starter tested and autozone said it failed so i bought a brand new one. Replaced it and still the same noise. Please help if you can!!!

Sounds like a bad connection at the battery, I would double check that the terminals are clean and tight and try again.

Has the vehicle ever been started with this "brand new starter" or did you just replace the starter and now it won't start? The smoke coming from the battery terminals is rather worrisome.

If the new starter has failed to work for you, the first thing I would do is double check the connections at the starter. Unlikely to be wrong if you hear the starter solenoid engaging, but worth verifying. If the wiring is correct, it would make me wonder if the new starter was DOA with a short through the windings.

A battery with just over 12 volts typically implies a bad battery, or at least one that needs to be charged. 12.5 volts is the "norm", but I'm not sure if you checked the voltage immediately after trying to start it either. The only sure-fire test of the battery is with a load tester, as "good" voltage still doesn't tell you the battery is good. I believe autozone can also do a load test for you on the battery.

Thanks for the replies. I did have the battery load tested at autozone. they did say low battery but still around 12.2-.3 volts. I removed old starter and had them test it and it failed so i bought a brand new starter. But same as before it just clicks. I will replace both cable though. battery was purchased right about 3yrs ago. i did try to jump start it but still the same clicking.

A good way to check batt connections and/or cables is to turn the headlights on high beam and try to start. The lights should dim some but not go out if the cables and connections are good. If they go out it's probably cables, connections or batt.

i tried the headlight thing and they just go very very dim. I am still going to replace cables though. Less than $20 for the pair at autozone. any other suggestions??????? Thanks a million!!

I am having the same exact issue with my 2002 6.0L. Sometimes it starts (but sounds like there is juice in the battery), and sometimes it just clicks. Not a solenoid click but more like a relay. Let me know how the battery cable replacement goes!!! :banghead:

I am having the same exact issue with my 2002 6.0L. Sometimes it starts (but sounds like there is juice in the battery), and sometimes it just clicks. Not a solenoid click but more like a relay. Let me know how the battery cable replacement goes!!! :banghead:

Load test the battery. I'm betting it's the factory battery (grey sticker on top). If so, it's probably about 8V@300A. Can't go by sound when diagnosing a battery problem.

Found the problem!!! Less than perfect battery connection at the battery. Replaced just the bolt that connect the battery and the cables. Thanks for all the help!!!!