2005 GMC Sierra Z71 won't start (sometimes)

brentgrantham · May 15, 2014

My wife drives an 05 Z71.

A month ago it started acting up.

You could stick in and turn the key and it would turn the lights and radio on but wouldn't crank.

Play with it a few second/minutes and it would eventually start.

It did this about 3 times a week. NOT every time.

I replaced the ignition switch and it didn't do it until this morning (1.5 week later) This time she couldn't crank it for 20 minutes and finally it cranked... What the heck is going on??

Anyone have a clue??

The anti theft light comes on and goes out, so not sure if that could be it? Could my key be worn and not turning everything in the cylinder?

Weird.... HELP!!!

Snow White · May 15, 2014

my father-in law had this happen on his ZR2 S10... if it has a tilt wheel in it and you use it frequently, it'll screw up the wiring harness... they had to replace his harness in the steering column...

hope that helps.

brentgrantham · May 15, 2014

Thanks for the comment! We pretty much have it set and never change it...

When I changed the ignition switch everything looked good.

Snow White · May 15, 2014

You should check to see if the solenoid is clicking when you turn the ignition. when you turn the ignition to crank does it do everything it should except crank? if you turn key and it clicks.... starter solenoid famous gm problem goes back 1/2 a century LOL true story.

if it doesn't click when you turn the key to crank clearly you have a power problem between the key and the solenoid and there aren't a lot things in between the two.... ignition switch, wires, ecm, junction box, fuse, battery/starter wire/solenoid.

brentgrantham · May 15, 2014

no clicking when turning the key to engage the starter... I thought about the connection to the starter being loose possibly??

When you turn it to start it, its like you didn't even turn it. (If that makes sense) It doesn't do anything.

If you are familiar the switch has 3 positions. 1. acc on 2. everything else on 3. Start vehicle.

positions 1 and 2 do as advertised. When faulty, position 3 does nothing...

Snow White · May 15, 2014

i'm going to go with dying solenoid on the starter or a lose starter wire at the starter post. or the lead to the ignition switch itself is buggered.

Duelin · May 15, 2014

The first quick check would be to see if it starts in neutral. Then if that doesn't work check to see if you have voltage at the solenoid when the key is in the start position. If not then you will have to trace it back from there. You can jump the solenoid while you are under there if that works then solenoid and starter are ok. Make sure it is in park and park brake set before you try to jump the solenoid.

brentgrantham · May 16, 2014

I stopped by the dealer on my way home and they said they can't diagnose unless it's working. :/. I will try those ideas next time it does it. Keep the ideas coming.

06pirate · May 16, 2014

The starter in my 2006 Sierra went intermittent last fall. Same type of thing, it would not crank when the I turned the key. After the third time I changed out the whole starter assembly which includes the solenoid. But it was way cheaper than having it towed, and I use my truck to go hiking so I didn't want it to not start way back on some logging road. I had about 115,000 miles on it then, and I figured I'd gotten my money out of the original starter at that point. Nothing lasts forever.