Starting Electrical 1999 Chevy Express 1500 Conversion Van with low miles

HANDYMAN1951

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
18,459 MILES

Intermittent problem. Turn the ignition key and will not turn engine over. New battery. Starter and solenoid checked. Starter relay replaced.
Here is the interesting part... If I turn the key to the start position and open the driver's door, there is a momentary pause and then the engine will start. I found this by accident when I went to my mechanic to pick it up. He said it was probably the starter relay so he replaced it. It didn't fail for him. Well, he had never closed the driver's door when attempting to start the van. As soon as I paid the bill and got into the van and closed the door, the van would not start (like there was no electricity to the starter, and no discernible 'click' anywhere). The mechanic ran full electrical diagnostics and found no 'hits'.
I have a workaround by opening the door when this happens. Any ideas?

2 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

I can't comment on what your mechanic did or didn't do. Did YOU check for voltage at the starter when the problem is ongoing? Any testing at the starter, make sure tranny is in park or neutral and functional parking brake is set. With intermittent issues, you have to test when the problem is ongoing or you can't find anything.

I haven't looked at your security system, yet. Not sure why it will start when you open the Door?

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Monday, December 2nd, 2013 AT 8:06 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Did you try cranking in neutral when the problem occurs? You do have a neutral switch.

The purple wire at the starter solenoid should be hot with the key in the crank position, test when problem is ongoing, use a test light. Also, there is a crank fuse, interior fuse box, left kick panel. That fuse circuit goes hot with the key in the crank position, use a test light, check for voltage at the fuse when problem is ongoing.

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Monday, December 2nd, 2013 AT 8:27 AM