Starting issue

jagabom (Esquire) · February 22, 2020

Have a 2011 Sierra 5.3 - 26,000 miles. Don't drive the truck in the winter. This year at around -9F it wouldn't crank. No codes or service engine soon light. Truck is plugged in with a battery blanket. When around -6F starts as normal.

When I turned the key to run, all lights and everything came on as normal and with full brightness.

Turned the key to start and all I heard was what sounded the click of the starter relay picking up but the engine didn't turn over. Tried several times and the same thing.

Then from out of nowhere the truck starts. After a couple minutes I turned the truck off and it started again with the key and also one more time with the remote.

Next day about the same temperature same thing. No crank, just the click. Try the battery first. New GM battery and exactly the same thing. No crank.

Bring it to GM. Was warmer that day and it started for them. They say everything checks out. Charging system, battery, fuses etc, etc. Everything is fine. The only thing they think is that it is the starter going wonky when too cold.

I think so to. What do you guys think?

Jim

CYWG

davester · February 22, 2020

Yeah, it could be the starter, or perhaps poor ground and/or power connections to the starter.

Mike GMC · February 22, 2020

Have you checked the battery cables for excessive resistance? New or larger cables might help.

jagabom (Esquire) · February 23, 2020

I cleaned the both battery cables when I installed the new battery a couple days ago and sanded down the negative cable where it attaches to the block last summer. Have not been under the truck but I think GM looked there and seen nothing as they would have said so I think. I might try removing the negative at the block again and sanding it down again and see what happens. Truck has 26,000 miles on it.

jim

CYWG

davester · February 23, 2020

the cables can corrode underneath the sheath, so it's possible for them to be bad even if the ends look ok.

sefiroxx · February 25, 2020

Make up a heavy gauge jumper wire that connect the state power lead to the solonoid lead. Test when warm (thru right side wheel well).

Next time it won't crank, try the jumper. If it cranks, then likely problem with relay. If not, then starter is bad.