Shouldn't go to START if it was running. Something not so "SMART in the BOX" IF it did engage we all know that's a bad condition IE starter pinion, flywheel, starter nose piece., another broken bolt?... UH-HO not sounding good. Anyway...............
Here's where a simple clip lead test wire is worth it's wait in gold...... Or the old HOT WIRE trick. This would be my on rig test.
Got to scoot or creep under to get at starter. Locate the big fat positive wire on the starter. (looking straight up) Clip one lead of test wire there. The other end of test wire briefly make contact to the starter solenoid control contact. Usually a small wire. ( to late here to dig up the wire number, sorry)
BE ready for a small spark and a good starter - batteries will engage and turn engine over... Scaring the poop out of one the first time done. NO worries. Good mechanics have a set-up with button to do this same procedure. BE SURE to have truck in STOP position. Follow all necessary braking / blocking, transmission in neutral for safety.
Should take two minutes to determine is it's the " BOX" or the starter. If starter checks out A-OK, dump the key-less thing, and question the 'BOX" thing.
Question ? what box and key-less thingie ?
Skip a day at the gym if starter is bad, CAMO
On the cheap... Harbor freight.
OR something like this one your can make really cheap.
