I have a 1979 F-150 that is refusing to start, The problem seems to be before the starter. I have changed the starter, the solenoid, and charged the battery. When i try to start it, it seems like there isn't enough power getting to the starter. It (at risk of sounding like a total incompetent) makes a clicking noise in the starter but only once not a steady click. I had thought that it might be the battery cable (haven't tested it yet), but I am officially at a loss at this point. Please help this truck is my baby!!!!

 

You know this is how we get in trouble, Assuming the replacement starter is good.
My first question is how do we know the battery is good? You can charge a defective battery all day and it still won't start the vehicle. Have you tried to jump start it with the battery from a known good vehicle?
If all the answers are yes, then I would think you are on the right path going after the cables and connections at the battery. You can always try the fast check of attempting to start the vehicle with the headlights on and see if the lights go dim. Try this quick test and let us know what result you obtained.

 

Yes, I have tried jump starting it from a new car, that was the only way to get a response out of the truck more than once. I have put a multimeter on the connections while starting and the voltage drops from almost 13 to 3 or lower only while trying to start it.

 

What kind of cable ends are on the battery? If they are replacement ends,I would start there. You are losing voltage before the starter,cable ends are more then likely the problem.

 

heavily corroded ones! I am actually about to go get a new positive cable. i just checked the ohms on both of them and the neg is fine, however is deffinetly not but it only seems to be the cable end itself. i am going to try this but if anyone thinks it could be something else i am completely open for help. thanks

 

ok so that doesn't seem to have been the problem are there any other suggestions?

 

i took the battery to autozone and it tested fine. i also had the starter tested when i got it replaced. is there a chance that even though it tested fine then, tht a bad solenoid could have messed it up again?

 

Please keep one thing in mind. You cannot check battery cable condition with an ohmmeter. The only reliable method is with a voltage drop test.
If the battery is good and the vehicle will start with a jump from another vehicle the first thing to check is the cable connections at the battery and the vehicle . Then the cables . A lot depends on where you checked the connections. If you have any doubt about the cables replace them both and save yourself a lot of time and trouble.
Were you able to do the earlier test I suggested of putting the headlights on and attempt to start the engine. Does anything happen to the quality/briteness of the headlights?

If your starter solenoid is mounted on the fender well , some of them use the sheet metal for the ground to operate the solenoid. You might run a separate wire from the negative battery terminal to the solenoid mounting bolts.