Engine will not crank over starter not working?

Tiny
KURTRO
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
Vehicle will not crank. Battery is okay and fully charged. When turning on the ignition different fault codes come up. Like check 4 wheel drive --- empty washer fluid--- etc.
When trying to crank nothing happens. After removing the key out of the ignition the door locks do not work either from the door switch or the remote. The day time running lamps also stay on indefinitely. This can be resolved by pulling the PCM fuse. On one occasion the truck did crank but shut down after one second. (Twice in a row) Now it's back to doing nothing. One change---when inserting the key in the ignition and turning it to the first position, the ignition starts firing ( you can hear the coils hum) and the tach states 3000 rpm.

Tried to hook up a diagnostic reader but there is no communication. I got in the vehicle and slammed the door shut and it came back to live. Diagnostic tool connected and working---no fault codes. Vehicle cranked up and ran for 1 second. Everything dead again. Repeated this process about 5 times. Any ideas?
Thursday, November 4th, 2010 AT 10:53 AM

59 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi kurtro,

Seems there is a power supply interruption and possibly a fault with the ignition switch as well.

This guide can help

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

Do you have a test lamp and are you able to perform test on the ignition switch circuit?

What is your engine type?
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Sunday, November 7th, 2010 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
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Yes I do have a lamp to test the switch.
Will get to that later today or tomorrow.
Do you suspect just the ignition switch or do you think there is more going on?
If I'm not mistaken the switch didn't feel right the first time I tried to start it.
Memory is kind of vague, I was in a hurry that morning to get to work.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The slamming of the door resulting in the system working indicates it could be a loose connection somewhere and since we suspect a power supply fault, the ignition switch would be the first place to start.

You did not provide me with the engine type.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
KURTRO
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Sorry for that 5.3 liter v8 4x4
One more item I discovered---when turning the ignition on there are 4 or 5 fuses(don't remember exactly) that only get 5.5 volts supplied iso the usual 12. The fuses are the following ----one is labeled as crank and the other 3 or 4 or labeled ign1, ign2, ign 3 and ign 4. When removing the key out of the ignition the voltage of 5.5 stays. It only goes back to 0 when the pcm fuse is pulled.
I wasable to do the same test when a doorslam made the truck come to live( I didn't try to crank it though) and the voltage was 12 volts with the ignition on and 0 with the key removed.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Fuses should have battery voltage if they are powered. Any that is lower indicates poor connection. Could be a loose connector or contaminations to terminal contacts.

However if pulling the PCM fuse stops the power, that seems to be a different problem. Seems power is back-flowing from the PCM to the various fuses.

Can you specify which PCM fuse did you pull?

There is a IGN 1 relay in underhood fuse block. Check if it is sticking
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 6:49 AM
Tiny
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Checked the ignition relayit is powered on with the ignition on----it stays on when removingthe key out of the ignition. You can pull it out and it releases so it's not sticking.
The PCM fuse that resets the problem is PCM/2 (20A)
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 7:23 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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With ignition OFF, the relay should stop working. After pulling out the IGN 1 relay, does it click when you reinstall it?

Is your VIN T or Z?

Check the PCM ground. If it is bad, power back flow can occur resulting in the relay staying on after ignition switch is turned off.

The other possibility is a faulty PCM
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 8:30 AM
Tiny
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Update--

the ignition relay stays on after the key is out of the ignition. This goes together with the low voltage on the fuses I mentioned before( I wrote all ofthem down for you----CRANK 10A---BTSI 10A---SCQIGN 10A---TBCIGN1 10A---SIR 15A---O2B 15A---OLA 15A---NULP 20A---IGNE 10A)
This condition stays forever and there is a slight hum coming from the ECU/PCM module.
You can reset this condition by pulling the ECM/PCM fuse or as I found out last night by pulling the ignition relay. When you pull the relay the system goes back to normal (hum dissapears also) andthe relay does not re engage when you put it back.
Checked all grounds and can not find anything bad.
Vin # 1GCEK--T--Z
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 7:27 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If it is a faulty ignition switch, pulling the PCM fuse should not stop the power supply.

One more test to perform.

After ignition is turned OFF, unplug the ignition switch wire and if problem stays, you would have to check the PCM or its circuit.
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 7:44 AM
Tiny
KURTRO
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PCM has been ordered---will post the results
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Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
KURTRO
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Replaced the PCMproblem solved
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Monday, November 22nd, 2010 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Glad to know you have fixed the problem.

Thanks for the update.

Have a nice day.
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Monday, November 22nd, 2010 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
TONYSTONEY
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How did you program the PCM when you replaced it. The Haynes Manual says a dealer has to reprogram the antitheft system password and a crankshaft position sensor variation relearn procedure.
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Friday, November 13th, 2015 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
NIGHTRACER1999
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2004 Chevy Silverado V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles

i have a chevy 2004 truck that wont turn over, the motor was just replaces and but wont turn over, the key doesnt do anything I can jump the start to turn the motor but the key wont turn it, this is a light on the dash that as a truck with a lock on it.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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It sound's like your security system isn't allowing the truck to start.I emailed you the pass lock learn procedure please tell me if that worked to get it started.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NIGHTRACER1999
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I tried it but it didnt work do you have any other ideas or maybe I did it wrong, I tried it and nothing.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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When you turned the key and let go and waited 10 mins did that light with the lock over the truck ever turn off?That's your security light it says when it's on solid you have code's and there's a problem with the security system. Also does your starter make any noise when you turn your key to the start position?Which model silverado do you have 1500 etc?What size engine do you have?
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NIGHTRACER1999
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The lock stays on, and there isnt any noise coming from the starter when the key is turned on, the truck is a 2004 z71, engine is 5.3L v8 1500
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Is your eighth digit of your vin a T or a Z?Let me know so I can get the starter wire diagram so we can see what's going on.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SWILSONSR1
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  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
At times, engine will not turn over with key in start position. I have removed the cover of the start relay and with key in on position taken my finger and engaged the relay. The engine then turns over and starts. Also, there is an intermittent problem with the turn signals and tachometer not working with engine running (turn signals will not work intermittently as well with engine running or just with key in the on position). Along with these problems the cruise control may not work as well. At times engaging the cruise control has shut the engine down. The battery is in very good condition and terminals clean. These problems occur at random with no discernible cause.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 AT 3:10 AM (Merged)

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