No starter operation?

Tiny
HUDSON98
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
Truck will start great but once truck is driven for awhile and you park and come back in a short amount of time, truck will not start or turnover until the truck has been off for about 30mins to an hour.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 AT 5:48 AM

30 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check battery and starter for condition including load test most places do for free. clean battery terminal ends as well. This guide can help us fix it

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 AT 5:53 AM
Tiny
HUDSON98
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Both the starter and battery are new, I had a load test done yesterday and the truck passed the load test. When I turn the key the dash will light up but once I turn the switch to start the truck does nothing. The dash lights will dim down but once I let go of the switch the lights will return to normal.
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-1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 AT 6:00 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check fusible links in pic they may have only one or two strands connected and doing this or it's the battery cables have bad connections or are bad and not sending power like the ground cable
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 AT 7:06 AM
Tiny
HUDSON98
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I replaced both fusible links and drove the truck and still the same results no start until something cools off for about 30mins.
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Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Then it's got to be a bad ground from battery to engine or the cables are bad I cannot think of anything else and am out of suggestions.
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Wednesday, September 16th, 2015 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
FRANK CREAMER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
Chevy 1500 Silverado 4x4 automatic 1988 with a 350 engine. The fuse labeled E C M - I G N in the fuse block blows as soon as you try to start the engine. This is a 10 amp fuse. Also There is a loud buzz coming from the E C M unit above the heater blower when you turn the engine off. That noise has been there for awhile and never gave me problems before. The fuse has just started to blow yesterday. Also my injectors are not putting out gas. I have the TBI. I need supervision and guidance real bad can you help? I do not know the liters but my engine is a 350 Also the heater blower works but no air will blow on the windshield. The heater works though.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
For heater check for a vacuum leak for vacuum motor for mode meaning defrost floor etc. The ecm fuse goes to the brake light switch with a pink/white wire it then turns to a pink /blk wire which goes to air diverter valve and egr there can be a sort anywhere along there. If that stuff is still hooked up if not check to see if it's hitting something shorting it out. Check all things in pic for fuel problem the buzing noise may be coming form fuel pump relay.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
  • MECHANIC
  • 686 POSTS
Emailed reply:

I take this moment to thank you for your tips. I do not know how I
fixed the problem but I wiggled some wires at the brake switch and the
ignition switch then slipped in a new fuse and turned the key. It
started right up.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Either it's a bad connection or the ignition switch may be starting to go bad.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
1JROD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,000 MILES
When I try to start the truck, all I get is a clicking sound coming from the starter. I have replaced the starter, the ignition key cylinder, and all battery terminals are clean and tight. I don't know what else could be causing it. Your help would be much appreciated.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check for power at the purple wire on the neutral safety switch. No power Retest the ignition switch power there and No power at starter solenoid terminal wire replace NSS.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKASS28
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Engine Mechanical problem
1989 Chevy Silverado V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I got a new starter for my truck and it turns but wont engage into flywheel.I had the starter checked and it works fine. I checked battery and its fine too. What can I do now?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The starter drive pinion is to far away from the flexplate. Try to shim it.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKASS28
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I looked at the starter while I had someone crank truck and the pinion dont even go outwhile on my truck. It cranked up once but shut off fast
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KADIN123
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1988 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
I have a 1988 chevy 1500 5.7 that drags when starting. It just started. I have replaced starter + and- wires battery.I dont know whatelse to look for my voltmeter in dash shows low volts in the red when key is in on position and like 13.7 when running what can this be I am open to all suggestions thanks in advance
can this be s ignition swich the truck has been timed since this started
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Can you turn the crank by hand? You may need to remove spark plugs and accessory belt/s. Then try to crank.

Use a digital multimeter across battery posts, with key in the crank position, what is the reading? Take the voltage reading first.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KADIN123
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It does turn by hand not to hard normal and you want me to use avoltmeater while cranking the truck
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Have a helper turn key to crank, digital multimeter leads across battery posts. Usually the voltage reading shouldn't drop below 10 volts. Let us know.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CODY GRUBE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1986 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
I checked the connections to the battery and the battery voltage all seem to be good. I replaced the ignition starter switch, I cannot hear any clicks or rotations from the motor. I jumped the starter solenoid and the truck turned over. I have lights to my dash and headlights, they do not dim when I try to start the engine. I checked my ignition fuse and it was good. I do not know where the starter relay is or the neutral safety switch. What do you think is wrong?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,689 POSTS
The neutral safety switch is a good suspect. It is on the side of the transmission, by the shifter linkage.

Look in the under-hood fuse box, if you have one, for the starter relay. If it is not there, I will have to consult a service manual.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:30 PM (Merged)

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