Lately my starter has been working when it wants to. Some days I'll turn the key and nothing. I use a wrench to jump the solenoid terminal to the main terminal on the starter and then go back and turn the key and it will usually turn over. Is this just my starter dying slowly? I took off the 2 wires on the starter and cleaned 'em up a bit hoping that would solve my problem but it still does it. Its doing it more and more so I better get something done before I am left stranded. What else might cause this? I thought this could have been a bad relay but found out there isn't such a thing in this circuit. Solenoid going bad? Any suggestions? Thanks

 

mine does this sometimes too and i usualy have to wiggle my negative battery cable on my battery(dont know why) i just did it one day and it started right up, once i had to wiggle the wire to the starter btu that was just one time. autozone can test starter BUT u have to take it off yourtruck before thay can test it then u can also check the teeth on it as well. just a suggestion

 

There are 4 possible things that could cause the starter not to work at all when turning the key.
The least likely being the ignition switch or a bad wire that runs to or from the ignition switch itself. The most common are the starter solenoid is starting to stick, or the battery is getting weak.
When you turn the key, do the lights on the dash dim, or do you hear any clicking from under the hood? Have you tried to jump start it when it is doing this, and if so, what happens then?
I would recommend taking the starter and battery to a local parts store to have them both tested, and while you are pulling the parts off, make sure to check the battery cables and ends for corrosion. Light corrosion can be cleaned with a toothbrush and any carbonated liquid(Coke, Pepsi, etc). If there is any heavy corrosion, I would replace that cable with new. They arent that expensive and easier to do now than in an iced over parking lot.