The engine will not crank or start it is like the battery is drained?

Tiny
STECEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 23,000 MILES
My vehicle listed above EXT won't turn on or start it's like the battery is dead but my head lights work no dash lights no gages come up but it does not crank or start and the battery I tested it and it's at 13Vollts and I replaced the ignition switch and alternator and starter solenoid and checked all fuses and replaced all relays still nothing. Could you please give me some advice on this?
Thursday, October 10th, 2024 AT 5:17 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,119 POSTS
We need to see if the starter is getting a signal to the solenoid from the ignition switch.

This guide will help you will need a test light:

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

Also, see if you are getting power to the red wires at the ignition switch, if not the fusible link is out. Here is the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Thursday, October 10th, 2024 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
STECEN
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  • 6 POSTS
I have done all of that everything checks out good, but van still has nothing. I'm at a loss here I don't know what to do.
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Friday, October 11th, 2024 AT 5:59 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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So, the trigger wire gets a signal when the crank command is given, correct? If so, I would replace the starter. Does the engine turn over by hand? This video can help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN42gZN6gOE&t=37s

Here is how to change out the starter motor. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, October 11th, 2024 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
STECEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I made sure that the starter was good, and it is I had it tested it passed the test and it's still the same thing happening. I have head lights tail lights and a dome light but absolutely nothing else is turned on and I took a test light to every single thing I could think of and it all showed it had power going to it now I have absolutely no clue what it is or what it could be at this point.
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Friday, October 11th, 2024 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
STECEN
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  • 6 POSTS
And yes, the engine does turn by hand.
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Friday, October 11th, 2024 AT 2:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 50,119 POSTS
So to confirm the starter solenoid trigger wire is getting power when the key is in the crank position, correct?
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Sunday, October 13th, 2024 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
STECEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes, that's correct.
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Sunday, October 13th, 2024 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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So if the trigger wire is getting signal, and the battery is good and the battery cables look okay you have a defective starter.
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Monday, October 14th, 2024 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
STECEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
No, I went and had it tested, and it passed AutoZone's test and at Advanced Auto parts just to get a second opinion but it's all has power going to it just will not start or make any kind of noise no dash lights but headlights and taillights and dome lights work, but absolutely nothing else.
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Monday, October 14th, 2024 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 50,119 POSTS
The main starter power and trigger wiring diagram are above, please use a test light to see where you are losing power. Because the trigger wire has power, and the battery is good and cables to the block and starter are good the starter should work.
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Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
STECEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes, that's correct but I did use a test light for everything and a volt Metter and everything I checked is good and still have nothing but my headlights taillights and dome lights that's it no sound at all. I'm just at a complete loss of what to do and where this problem is.
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Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 AT 9:01 AM

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