1998 Chevy Tahoe Starter won't crank

ESMOORE68

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I got in my car this morning, turned the key, and no starter noise. Headlights, interior, all other lights work. Tried jumping just in case, no go. There is no noise from the solenoid. Only a small click from under the hood. The starter has never sounded weak before.

I pulled the starter out and took it to Autozone, and it tested out ok. I can hear the starter relay in the fuse box clicking over when the key is turned, so I don't think it's that. I'm not sure what to try next.

Ignition switch? Neutral safety switch? I don't know how to test either of these or where they are.

3 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Check battery and battery terminals
clean and tight, make sure battery is fully charged
make sure no alarm was tripped
to check if its the neutral safety switch or not
place shifter in to neutral and try starting if it does start in N then P/N switch issue
check and make sure all fuses OK
use a test light to check or volt meter
let me know

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Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 AT 10:00 PM

ESMOORE68

MEMBER
1 POST

Sorry for the delayed response. I feel a bit silly for not noticing earlier (it was dark when I was working on it), but the 4 gauge wire from my battery to my aftermarket amplifiers had pulled out from its fuse holder. I'm still not sure why this caused my starter to not work, but reconnecting it fixed the problem. It doesn't really make sense to me, but there you have it.

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Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 AT 10:20 AM

BMRFIXIT