93 Silverado Won't Crank-most Of The Time

[eglkpr]

93 Silverado K1500 5.7L, AT.

It wont' crank over most of the time. Started having problem months back acting like battery charging problem, with enough charge it started. That may be unrelated, but recently it won't crank, like a dead battery, but without starter solenoid noise.

My son took off in it going to the store, and wouldn't crank for him on return trip. I asked him what the volt gauge read (12v). He said it didn't try to start (no cranking noise). Told him to try moving the gear shift back and forth while turning key to start, nothing, not even in neutral. Five minues later he calls and says it started. Shut it off in driveway, no crank again. Put charger on it, started, shut it off, no crank.

Near as I can tell the battery and charging system are okay (12v resting, 14v running).

Thinking it was an intermittent starter solenoid issue, I removed the starter assy and had it bench tested at Autozone, and it checked out fine over and over again (17 years old).

Reinstalled it, and no crank.

Not believing it was a ground or wiring issue from battery to starter, although not sure about fuseable links on power terminal on firewall, I changed the ignition switch down on the stearing column. It started right up perfect. Second try, no cranking.

Now I'm thinking it's the Neutral Safety Switch further down the stearing column, but since it won't start in neutral I'm not sure. Besides, I can't figure out how to get that #&*%)@ switch off the stearing column.

Any ideas?

[frdfandc]

Did you have the battery load tested?

 

 

Just because it has good voltage, the amps is what really matters. If the amps are low, then it will not start.

[Wingnut]

From experience on my '89 and my '92 trucks...I'd say replace the battery cables. They looked fine on the outside, but had pretty much turned to powder on the inside. When you're clicking away and the truck's not starting...Go grab one, I bet it's smokin' hot. Mine got so hot on my '89, the post melted the plastic on the battery around it. That's what made me replace it.

 

Not saying that's the problem. But mine always showed good voltage and looked fine, yet exhibited the same symptoms you're describing.