just bought a 1500 ext 5.3 automatic, got it off an auction. battery was toast so put a new one in and when i go to try and start it all that happens is the electrical components come on and a clicking noise can be heard in the dash. just wondering what the best place to start looking would be! thanks for any help!

 

Get the starter tested. A redneck check is to have someone hold key in start position and rap starter with a hammer. If it comes to life, replace it. Any idea on vehicle history; when it ran last?
BTW welcome to the forum!

 

ivehicle was government owned, stored in side over winter, ran approx a year ago and has sat since then. tried banging starter but no go

 

starter could still be bad. if you jumper the big starter wire to the solenoid terminal...the starter should turn over. If it sparks and doesn't move...the starter may be nfg. you should have full battery voltage at the big starter cable at all times and battery voltage on the solenoid wire in the start position.

another way to go...find out where the click is coming from....starter relay or starter solenoid. put your finger on the relay and have someone crank it over...should feel and hear the relay click.

 

^This^

 

jarv1414,Did you ever figure out the cause of the issue? Wondering if you had power at the "S" terminal with the key in the start position.