2008 silverado random start issues

arctictwist · April 29, 2013

Ok so back in February i went to the grocery store. came out to find my truck wouldnt start. Literally everything in the truck came on with a turn of the key, just wouldnt even attempt to crank. Finally found a fuse that was half sticking out and pushed it in. truck started right up. I dont remember which one it was, but it was on the last row towards the dash board. fast forward to last night. same thing happened at work, drove my truck over to one of our buildings for a security check and came out to find it wouldnt start. same symptoms. everything came on, but no crank attempt. so i looked for a loose fuse, nothing. so then i checked all the fuses that had to do with ignition, nothing. so i check ALL the fuses, and nothing. i checked all battery connections, nothing. Finally i remembered seeing something about messing with the key fob. i tried locking and unlocking the truck multiple times and nothing. then i hit the panic button, hit the lock button, unlocked and got in. truck started right up.... what gives? is this something i should head to the dealer with?

SILVERADOSC540 · April 29, 2013

I would first disconnect the battery for a few minutes, and see if that resets anything. If it happens again, try cranking up on the shift lever before starting, could just be the park override(not sure of the proper name). Good luck.

arctictwist · April 30, 2013

Yea ill try that next time. Thanks.

stevo936 · May 1, 2013

I have an 08 Silverado and same thing happpened to me. It ended up corrosion getting on the starter wires. I took the starter out and cleaned all connections and has been good since.

If you plan on doin this, do yourself a favor and take off the RF wheel and fender liner, it makes a lot easier to get to connections.

arctictwist · May 13, 2013

Well it happened again, I was not home with it. After an hour or so of trying key relearning procedures and all the other stuff I had done before, nothing. So because it was only 2 more miles to the dealer than home i brought it to the dealer. After almost a full day they have no idea whats wrong and are trying to get help from their tech support.

arctictwist · May 14, 2013

Well I called them just before they were to go home and was told it was the starter. They have one coming in over night and well see if that resolves the issue.

stevo936 · May 14, 2013

See I told you, haha. Its prob just the connections though not the starter. I would have them clean the little wire on the starter and put some electric grease on it. Thats all that was wrong with mine.

arctictwist · May 15, 2013

They said it was an internal short in the starter. They replaced the whole thing under warranty. Next time ill know where to start though!

RolandMan · December 8, 2013

Same thing occurring with my 2010 Sierra. Battery has been changed twice (Jan. 2012 and now Dec 2013) but problem is now consistant rather than intermittant. The cold weather will probably have me taking it to the shop again rather than checking the starter wires myself.

Good info in this post!

Red Clay · December 8, 2013

Next time just tap the starter with A hammer or rock a couple o times. Starters still basically have points in them and when one wears down to much they gotta get replaced but by tapping on it, it will move enough it get a connection and will fire right up had this problem when I first got mine two years ago.