95 chevy won't start

[blk94fiveoh]

I can't get my 95 2500 silverado to start. Its been very cold here the past few days ( -20 ). Yesterday when i went to start it in the morning It made a weird grinding noise the first time I turned the key. The second time I turned the key, it started, but it turned over pretty slow. I had to run a couple of arrands, and when i came back out to the truck it was dead. It made a clicking noise on the drivers side, but that was it. After a few more tries, the clicking stopped, and now its totally dead. I hit the starter with a hammer while someone else tried to start it, and it sounded like it turned over for a split second, after that It wouldn't do anything.I had it towed home and I replaced the starter in my driveway ( -40 with the windchill) That did nothing. I also tried jumping it even thought the battery is about 4 months old (red top optima). I also made sure i was getting 12v to the starter. The headlights work, interior lights work, but the wipers, and the flashers don't. When i try to turn on the wipers it makes some weird noise from the dash area. I dont' get whats going on here, and I'm getting frustrated with this truck I just purched in november real fast.

I have a western uni-mount plow on it.

 

Thanks for your help,

scott

[Shaners]

Check the main Ground and the battery cables to the starter and starter selenoid (sp?).

 

The wiper problem may be the wiper motor circuit board. The y are known for bad solder joints. You can fix this yourself... do a search on here for it and you'll see how to do it along with some pics.

 

Your flasher relay may be going bad and the extreme cold may be causing it to malfunction.

 

 

Those temps make it hard to start any vehicle if you don't have some heat in the block. I'd suggest either a heated dipstick or one of the magnetic block/oil pan heaters.

[blk94fiveoh]

thanks for the reply. here is some more info that might be helpful...

 

 

-I bench tested the old starter, and it worked fine.

 

-The clicking noise sounded like it was coming form the maxi fuse box area. (drivers side fender) and it stopped after a few attempts to start the vehicle, and hasn't been back since.

 

-I checked all the fuses

 

-the warning lights on the dash do not turn on when i turn the key to crank the truck . The only light that comes on is the battery light.

 

Does this sound like an ignition switch?

[blk94fiveoh]

I forgot to add...When i turn the headlights on and try to crank it over, the headlights don't dim at all...like its not even getting juice.

[JonesNTN]

Not that I recommend it, but a long screwdriver used as a short can answer that question very quickly.