New starter, turns slow then fast then slow, but will does not start

GREGOR DA PHLEGAR

MEMBER
1997 GMC SONOMA
4.3L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Replaced engine with a used one. Reused crank sensor and distributor (salvage yard broke the ones that came on the engine). Battery good, cables clean, starter new (did not need it $120.00 down the drain), grounds are connected. Truck started before engine was replaced. So there is the information here are my questions.
1. Could the distributor not installed correctly cause the starter to act up?
2. Crank relearn?
3. Could a bad crank sensor cause this?

Thanks in advance.
Gregor

4 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Do you have any codes? Do you have fuel pressure, spark and injection pulse?

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Friday, November 4th, 2016 AT 5:31 AM

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,411 POSTS

Measure voltage at the battery cable where it is attached to the starter. You may want to do a voltage drop test also to verify the battery cable is good. Double check your ground cable and also do a voltage drop test on that. Make sure the block is clean and shiny where you bolted up your ground. If you spray painted the block that will cause all kinds of ground problems. Clean the mounting area for the starter since the starter grounds itself to the block and clean any paint on the ground cable side also.

Here is a link on you tube for the voltage drop test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0OtjG4bwJg

If all is good try turning over the engine by hand. If you feel resistance you could also have a bad engine?