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Engine won't crank over?

Tiny
BUBBABOY43
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Problem started months ago when you turn key to start-the dash lights come on but won't crank. Might happen once a month. I would try 3-4 times then would start. Has gotten progressively worse. When it happens now I will pull the starter relay (located in under hood fuse panel) and jump terminals to start. I will then replace starter relay. If I then turn off the key and restart car everything works. It may then work for several days and weeks and then won't start. I have replaced the relay and still have the problem.
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Saturday, December 19th, 2009 AT 6:58 PM

46 Replies

Tiny
RND-MOTORSPORTS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
If you are getting power to relay and all good there then sounds to me like the starter solenoid may be bad. would check the posts or battey cable to starter if good then replace the soleniod. that should fix you problem the relay only removes the load from the switch and activates the soleniod witch makes the battery conection to starter.

This guide can help fix it

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, December 20th, 2009 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
SWEETLEW
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.5L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
Number eight crank fuse keeps blowing. Had ignition switch and harness replaced. Can neutral safety switch be bypassed? Seems harness leads to that switch then to starter relay.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
Hi, thank you for using 2CarPros. Sorry you're having troubles. Lets see if we can straighten them out.

It is unlikely the switch is the issue. Have you tested the starter and the starter solenoid?
You can easily narrow it down to one or both them with a remote starter switch. They are cheap and save you from pulling the starter to have it tested. If you hook it up and press the button and nothing happens it could be a shorted solenoid or starter.

Thank you for using 2CarPros.

Let us know, Rich
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SWEETLEW
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Starter and solenoid were tested. Also tested with a fuse savor in park and neutral. Lots of shaved wires and some wire nuts under dash board yes wire nuts! So we’re thinking somewhere from ignition switch to neutral safety to starter relay a bare grounded wire.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

You would have to bypass the range sensor and then it won't start at all. I attached a portion of the schematic. I see fuse 8 and it goes directly to the range sensor. Disconnect the range sensor and see if the fuse blows or pull the starter relay and see what happens. If it doesn't blow with the relay pulled, it's between the relay and the starter. At least that will help us narrow it down. By the way, wire nuts? Ugh!

Let us know.

Joe
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONKELLY1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
My truck only occassionally starts, but turns over with no problem. The battery and alternator checked out fine. The truck starts with no problem at all when I jump it from another vehicle. Could it be im getting a voltage leak from the starter and need to replace it?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Make sure the ground wire from the battery is properly attached to the engine block. Make sure it is tight, clean and in good condition.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KARATTOP
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
If it turns over, you are getting juice to the starter. You should check for spark to the plugs, fuel to the carb or injectors, and distributor to be sure the spark happens when it is supposed to. It can easily be an electronic problem - if your different sensors and computers aren't communicating the right info, the mechanical things can occur properly but the truck still not start. You can get many of the sensors checked by a parts place or a dealership.

Tell more about the conditions when it does or does not start.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OKARMYSTUD8
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
I have a 99 silverado ext cab 2wd with 205,000 runnin on a 5.3 liter. Well my engine wont crank or turn. I put the key in and turn all the way over and nothing. My radio comes on, lights are good, fuel pump goes on. I also tested the wires to the switch and they were dead as is the one to the starter. Im stumped please help.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Since your getting no power to starter, check for loose or corroded wires, if none then check the ignition switch. 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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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES O.
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 162,000 MILES
Truck will try to start with no key and selanoid and starter will try to engauge have to pull starter relay out when I park it it is driveing me nut's
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Do you mean the starter will engage when you turn the key off and the key is out?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES O.
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes it will try to crank by it self no key
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Replace the igntion switch. That has to be where the problem is coming from. It is located near the bottom of the steering column. That is where power goes first before making its way to the starter.

Let me know if it works. If you have a auto electric shop near, have them check the old one before replacing it, but I'm confident that is where the problem is coming from.

Let me know what you find, have a great holiday, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ENDURA2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
The truck wont start. Had a mechanic go over it thoroughly, even replaced the starter, checked relays etc. Still nothing.
He thinks maybe its the trucks anti-theft device thinking the truck's being stolen.
Could this be the case? And if so, is there a way to remove or override it?
Whats your opinion?
Thank-you.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Does vehicle crank when key is turned to start, or does it just sit there like a lump on a log?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ENDURA2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It just sits there like a lump on a log
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Ok next step would be to see if energy is being used when attempted to crank do this by turning on the headlights and trying to crank it, do the lights dim, stay bright?

If they stay bright then chances are its not drawing current, I would then check the neutral safety switch, starter relay, fuses, and ignition switch to make sure they are functioning.

What has all been checked/replaced?
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ENDURA2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay made a little bit of progress. There is power getting to the ignition and starter.
It wont crank though unless you crawl underneath and cross terminals on the cylinoid. Then it will run for approx. 30 seconds, afterwhich it shuts itself down.
Then the anti-theft light comes on thinking its being stolen.
Checked relays and fuses - all okay.
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Usually it will just allow the vehicle to crank and not fire up if the theft light is bad. Put key in ignition and put in on position and leave for 30 mins. Come back turn it off and back on and try to restart it. Any better?

You can have a gm dealer look at it and see if the antilock system and reader is functioning properly. I dont think its anti theft related.

You can do a permanant bypass on this system.
See the PLJX bypass kit at www. PASSLOCK2. Com
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 AT 5:05 PM (Merged)

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