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Weird No Crank-No Start Issue this morning

fondupot

By fondupot
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

First off I'll explain my normal starting procedure. I put the key in, turn the key forward to run, but I don't crank over the key for a few seconds, then I crank the key and the truck starts no problem.

 

So today, I get in to go to work, put the key in, turn to run....and here is where the issue begins. I had about 1/2 second of power (the radio came on and the dash lights flashed). Then I heard an electrical "thunk" sound (best I can describe it) And then, the truck was dead. Like dead, dead. Like Doomguy impaled by Hell Knight on ultra-nightmare dead.

 

I tried to crank it over. Nothing. Not a sound. No clicking, no nothing. Dead.

 

Key fob doesn't do anything. Windows do not work. Lights to not work. Locks, overhead lights, etc etc. The truck is a 5000 lb. paper weight.

 

So a this point I am scratching my head. I pop the hood and check the starter fuse and starter relay. Fuse looks OK. Relay didn't show any signs of trauma, but it's impossible to know if it's bad just by looking.

 

So now I am stumped. And getting pissed, because I am going to be late for work. I came to my senses and thought maybe I should disconnect the Negative battery cable. So I get my socket out. Unhook it for about 30 seconds. And then reconnect. Tested the key fob. No affect. Still dead.

 

Then I decided then to disconnect the positive cable. So I did that, for about 30 seconds. And then reconnect. I tested with the key fob, and to my surprise I had power. The lights flicked on. So then I hop in and try to start the truck and it cranks up like normal. Drove away to work. I had to stop and get gas, and I was nervous to shut the truck off. But after filling up, it started like normal with no issues. Had to make another stop on my way to work, and it started fine again.

 

Really strange.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks dudes/dudettes

 

 

dcheeseman Enthusiast

dcheeseman

Posted
Posted

I'd first check my battery voltage after sitting all night. If good battery is probably fine. If it does it again, my guess would be a loose connection or a electronic issue. I don't think its a security issue because you still should have had your dome lights on. Hopefully it was just a fluke.

 

Daniel

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
  • Author
Posted

After I got the truck started, the battery was in normal range of voltage. So I don't think it's that.

 

Is the issue with the positive battery cable, the short little run of cable that connects the battery to the distribution block on the battery? Or is it the longer run that goes to the alternator?

 

I did notice that both the positive and negative battery cables did not have any dielectric grease on them. How important is that stuff to be on there?

Brianibew Enthusiast

Brianibew

Posted
Posted

If I had to guess, the positive cable from the battery to the distribution block as the cable from the alternator to the battery would not affect how it would start if the battery was not dead. There is a way to test the cable for mV drop but I cannot recall what the threshold limit is...300mV?? Dielectric grease just keeps the battery terminals from corroding.

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

Seriously doubt it had anything to do with the battery. These trucks today have as much wiring as a house did 40 years ago. No telling what the issue is.

 

The bad part about these type of problems is you loose confidence in your truck until you know 100% what the issue is..

  • Like 1
fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The truck has started flawlessly over a dozen times since the incident....

 

But like GMC-AT says, it does make me lose some confidence.

Colossus Senior Enthusiast

Colossus

Posted
Posted

I had an 07 Sierra that I purchased new. Everything was fine for the first 20,000 miles and then out of the blue I started having an issue similar to what you explained. Dealership could never duplicate the problem. Had it happen once where I had it towed to the dealership and when it came off the tow truck, it started! I got charged for the tow! I ended up trading it in on an 08 Sierra Duramax. Dealer did go over the ignition system with a fine tooth comb, from battery cables to fuses to the ignition switch. Couldn't come up with anything.

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ugh...I was considering getting into a new vehicle not to long ago. But decided against it. Now it has me thinking again...

  • 2 weeks later...
20feetup Enthusiast

20feetup

Posted
Posted

Have you had the issue reoccur at all? Did you have it looked at? My issue has returned even after the cable change...

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Have you had the issue reoccur at all? Did you have it looked at? My issue has returned even after the cable change...

 

Haven't had any issues for two weeks. Knock on wood.

 

And I haven't had a chance to have the dealer look at it. Because I know they will just say "cannot duplicate"

20feetup Enthusiast

20feetup

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm just tired of not trusting this truck, it's back in it's second home (the shop) looking for a cause as I had two dead turns of the key this weekend.

Edited by 20feetup
tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted (edited)

I had something very similar with my 2002 silverado. It actually died on me when pulling out into traffic a couple of times when I first got it but of course the mechanics could not find anything wrong. I had that truck for 12 years and it would be fine for a year or two and then out of no where it would not start, just exactly how you describe your situation. It always made wonder where and when it would happen next but as I said it would be a year or two before it happened again. That truck had the original battery in it for almost 11 years but it failed to start on me once after the new battery was put in (about a month before I traded it for my 2014). I found out for me it that disconnecting the battery really had nothing to do with it. Usually it would fire up after I took the key out and waited 5 mins or so.

More and more I am thinking that I may be better off by selling my truck and finding me an 82 model chevy truck with a carb and fix it real nice mechanically and cosmetically and call it a day. When something goes wrong then the cause is much easier to track down. I say that but it probably won't happen. I owned an 82 when I was young so just feeling nostalgic I guess.

Edited by tnchevy

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