'97 Wont crank...sometimes?

[CMPNS8N]

Hey guys, just bought my 2nd 97 and am having a weird issue. Maybe once every 5 times I go to start it (regardless of temp, weather, engine temp, day of the week) it wont even crank. I'll turn the key to 'start/crank' and I hear a click, but it doesnt crank. Lights, radio, idiot lights all work. Even weirder, if I hold the key in the 'start/crank' for a few seconds sometimes it'll just magically start cranking. Delay is anywhere from half a second to four or five seconds. It's not getting longer, its just totally random from what I can tell. Any thoughts?? She runs like a champ and cranks great when she wants to crank.

[Haulstroker]

Sounds like a solenoid issue. Perhaps some loose connection in the start circuit between the key/switch and the solenoid but my bet is the solenoid itself. What do you do to get the starter working when this happens?

[Patrick Feeley]

That's what my starter did when it went south. You may want to have the starter bench tested. What happens if you try starting it in neutral instead of park? Cheers!

[CMPNS8N]

It has yet to totally not start. It also has this delay if I start it in neutral, so I don't think it's that switch. I'm going to keep a screwdriver in the cab in case I need to jump the relay. I guess I'll have to get the starter tested... Delay this morning was about four seconds.

[whitepowerstroke444]

check you connections on the starter... couldnt hurt

[CMPNS8N]

All connections look good and solid. I'm going to jump the relay on Wednesday when I have time and see what that does