If that's a single rather loud clunk you hear each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank", that's a real common problem with the little silver Nippendenso starters. They develop worn solenoid contacts and will crank intermittently after you try it a few times. The problem will get progressively worse over time. The contacts can be replaced for 20 bucks, but most people just replace the entire starter.

Answered by caradiodoc (expert)
17,274 answers provided

99% its a fuel pump issue or has something to do with a fuel line components. i had the same thing on a 1996. they had lifted it and banged on a fuel tank whie the car was up...and it had started.

Answered by popovich
1 question asked

REAL bad answer. If the fuel pump is not working, the starter will still crank the engine. The two systems are not related.

Could be a charging system problem too causing the battery to run down but with no voltage measurements, no other observations, and no feedback, who knows what's going on, but fuel pump? I guess it could be the wiper motor too.

Answered by caradiodoc (expert)
17,274 answers provided

MANY TIMES---LOOKING AND REALLY GETTING IN THERE ARE CONFUSED WITH EACH OTHER....YES, I ARGUE WITH PEOPLE EVERYDAY, WHEN I "DO AGAIN", WHAT THEY SAID THEY ALREADY DONE!

I USED TO SEE THESE PROBLEMS, HITHER AND YON. I STARTED WORKING PART TIME AT ADVANCE AUTO A FEW MONTHS AGO

I SEE IT AND OTHER "WILD" STUFF, MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY!

LET'S LOOK AT MY ANSWER IN THIS LINK

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

RETURN WITH A BIG OLE GRIN

THE MEDIC

Answered by CJ MEDEVAC (expert)
6,799 answers provided