No starter operation not working?

Tiny
RONNIEFRANKIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • 30,000 MILES
This vechile has never failed to start but turned key to start. All gauges went to zero and just clicked. Battery is fully charged and connections are clean. Could it be the starter. Thanks
Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 6:11 PM

31 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

If all the gauges went to 0, it sounds like an electrical issue and not a starter. The starter won't cause all gauges to fail.

First, recheck battery terminals, main ground to engine block.. Make sure they are clean and tight. Also, inspect the battery cables for evidence of failure.

If you want to check the starter itself, follow the directions in this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If you haven't already, inspect the fuses under the hood in the power distribution center. I have attached two pictures. One is the fuse box under hood, the second is the legend. Specifically, check the following:
Battery
Ignition A
Ignition B
ECM 1

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
FERGY121
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 185,000 MILES
Ok so recently I was having problems starting my truck it was starting really slow and sometimes I would have to pop start it until one day it did not start at all did not crank or anything so one mechanic told me to bypass the clutch pedal ignition switch I did and still nothing when I connect the two wires together I here clicking up in starter relay but it still wont start or crank can someone help me
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Check fuse #6 (40amp) in the engine compartment.

If that is good you will have to test for power arriving at the starter on the purple wire when trying to start it. If you have power there and the battery cables and battery are all good, you likely have a bad starter.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDPACASH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Trucks starts good when cold but after it's warm, it doesn't want to turn over almost like the battery is dead, but the battery is good. Colud it be the coil?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Is the starter working?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDPACASH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Starter seems fine!
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
QUAGMIRE86
  • MECHANIC
  • 98 POSTS
Check the Crank-shaft position sensor.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WKORSHAK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I have this truck that was in some serious flood damage and I tried to start it and it wont turn over or crank or nothin wont should I do? I want to nfix it but I dont know were to start. Should I take it in? And how much would they charge me to take it in?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If your battery and connections are good and you turn key on and see all those idiot lite and turn key to cranking position and nothing happens start at the starter and work your way to the ignition switch.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MTNBIKER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 128,000 MILES
I have a 1998 Chevy 1500 4x4. Last week I was having trouble getting it started on the first try. It would click, then trying a second time it turned over and had no issues. Now it only clicks when turning the ignition.I have changed the battery cables, installed a new battery and ignition module. Also I did have the starter tested and every thing checks good with it. I still have the same issue, the engine turns over very slowly if at all. It will start on the first try but will not after that. All of the wires have good contact.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
"it will start on the first try but not after that." Why would you want tot try to start it after it's been started?

A clicking sound when turning the key means low battery, bad wires/poor contact, bad solenoid, or bad starter.

Slow cranking usually means a timing issue.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOARTG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
1998 chevy 4x4 5.7. New battery today. Started 4-5 time after new battery. Now will only click one time when I try to start
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Make sure the battery terminals are clean, tight. Check the main ground on the engine block. Also, confirm that the battery is actually dead. If it isn't, then chances are you have a bad connection.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANJOHN5151
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
My 1998 silverado z71 190000miles will not start one day it was running fine and the next it wouldnt do any thing all my radio and lights and stuff work soi dont think it is my battery I changed the starter so I no its not that I have check the fuses and every thing else I realy could use some help plz I am stuck with no vechical so some feed back would be much appreciated.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GBGTEXAS
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Does it do anything when you turn the key?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMPEACH90
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Does it do anything when you turn the key?[/Quote:9a0c653fcb]

does it begin to crank over when turn the key to start or is it dead? If it cranks then it usually means you arent getting fuel to your engine and it could be the fuel pump. The way I figured that my pump was out was I took off the air breather off the throttle body and looked down at the injectors to see if fuel was being sprayed into it. It wasnt. I eventually replaced the pump and it was fixed
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
APEXHUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 130,000 MILES
We have replaced starter, battery, cables. Had starter tested (twice).
Motor started twice in driveway while bleeding brakes, but then when lowered if off jacks, it wouldn't start, only clicks. Charged new battery even though I didn't think it could be battery, nothing. Tested volts at battery 12.7. Not sure where to turn next or what to do.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
What's clicking? The starter relay, (light click) or starter solenoid, (loud clunk)? Can you measure the voltage on the two starter cables while a helper turns the ignition switch to "crank"? Holler back with those numbers.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
APEXHUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It's the solenoid. Will check voltage and report back.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Any word on this? Can you get it to turn over/start if you bypass the solenoid?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:09 PM (Merged)

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