1998 Silverado trouble starting

[PorkPieGuy]

Hey folks,

 

I'm new here! I just bought a 1998 Silverado with 143k a couple of weeks ago. Super-clean. No rust on the frame or under the hood. Here is a picbefore my question:

 

 

Anyways, here goes:

 

While this hasn't happened often, it's had a hard time starting. All I get is the "click" one time, like the battery is dead; however, when I turn the accessory on, the battery has what I think would be enough juice (it goes up about a third of the way of the way on the gauge).

 

I'm pretty sure this only happens when I forget to push down the brake as I turn the key. If I forget to push the brake, it won't start. Even if I push the brake after the first attempt, it won't start, but after a while it will. But, if I remember the push the brake...no problem. Fires right up. Y'all think this is a bad sensor?

[1997SierraSLT]

you might need to replace the brake switch located on the steering column. This is prone to go bad and you must depress the brake pedal in order to start the engine or take it out of Park.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=gm+silverado+%2B+brake+switch+%2B&biw=1412&bih=930&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=2TVfVZzgIInutQX344HIBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw#imgrc=tsVyCxq6bHCzBM%253A%3BvvX4Q7XwOZnL3M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fww2.justanswer.com%252Fuploads%252FBluegorilla%252F2011-07-07_232131_156233.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.justanswer.com%252Fchevy%252F58k6s-chevrolet-suburban-1500-told-brake-light-switch.html%3B1051%3B987

[sahls01gmc]

I don't think I have ever pressed the brake pedal to start a car....unless it's a stick shift. But, is this true?

[1997SierraSLT]

well darn.....I could have sworn I needed to depress the brake to start it. Too bad I can't test that theory since the truck is not currently in my possession.

[sahls01gmc]

No worries, just making sure. But is there some truth to the brake pedal switch interfering with starting? I do actually see the logic since it relates to shifting the truck.

[1997SierraSLT]

The Chilton's diagram only shows a Neutral Safety Switch being linked to the starter. However, the brake switch is also incorporated into the neutral safety switch housing if not mistaken.

[2018GMC]

First off, welcome to the forum and you got a nice GMT400 there.

 

I have your same truck but 1997. Brake pedal has nothing to do with truck starting or not.

 

Take apart your battery terminals and clean.

 

Check and clean your 3 main grounds. Battery - frame - engine.

 

If your truck has a tow package installed, check your grounds under bed.

 

Check the connection of positive battery cable to starter celinoid.

 

The click could also be a bad starter celinoid.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

I used to have a 98 and I've started it while not even being in the cab and reached in so that has nothing to do with it.

 

It seems like it has something to do with the starter.

[socomkingz]

Your starter solenoid is gone, happened to me... Only clicks sometimes but when it STARTS, it starts no problem right?... Check All your connections if that's good than its the solenoid... It's right on the starter itself, it's 20-30$ at any parts place and only takes 20min to change

[50blues]

Check the positive battery cables. As stated before clean them. The positive cable that is farther from the battery goes to the starter.

[PorkPieGuy]

Your starter solenoid is gone, happened to me... Only clicks sometimes but when it STARTS, it starts no problem right?... Check All your connections if that's good than its the solenoid... It's right on the starter itself, it's 20-30$ at any parts place and only takes 20min to change

Ding! Ding! Ding!

 

We have a winner! In addition to everyone else that mentioned the starter. Your description is EXACTLY what it was doing...only a click OR a flawless start.

 

I replaced the whole starter and solenoid. I upgraded to the gear reduction starter after some research. Starts super fast and there's less pull on the battery which will be handy whenever I have to start my truck in -20 temps after sitting around for 11-12 hours. Also the starter is original, and while I had to take out the starter to get to the solenoid, might as well replace it IMO.

 

It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. While I didn't any issues removing the bolts, I couldn't loosen the wires. See, I didn't jack up my truck before doing this, so my wife crawled under there an unhooked them for me with no issues. She also helped me reinstall as well. She's the best!

 

Anyways thanks everyone! I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on.

[PorkPieGuy]

Oh and one more thing - Before messing with the starter, I cleaned the battery posts and plugs. After I worked for about 45 minutes cleaning everything, I got back in the truck, turned the key, and "click"...nothing. At that point I thought it was the starter.