'06 GMC Sierra 1500 wont start with new starter and battery. No clicking sound from starter.

[JamesMR]

I recently replaced my starter on my '06 GMC Sierra, and it was working fine. Fast forward a few weeks, and the thermostat went out and I replaced that. I drove the truck 4-5 times after that without issue. Then when I went to start it up, I get good power on the interior lights. The battery is brand new as well. No corrosion on the terminals or cables. But I have a dead key when trying to crank it over. No clicking from the starter or anything from under the hood. I think that maybe the coolant that leaked out while changing the thermostat may have shorted out the starter solenoid, but was wondering what your opinion was.

[asilverblazer]

Make sure the engine (everything for that matter) is well grounded. Test by using a jumper cable from the engine to the battery negative.

[JamesMR]

Thank you. Will anywhere on the engine work? Should I ground it to the frame or the motor?

[asilverblazer]

Anywhere raw metal on the engine to the negative battery terminal.

[JamesMR]

No luck. I'm going to try and ground the starter directly to the battery and see if that does the trick. I remember having to do that to a Toyota I had a long time ago when I was having starter issues.

Edited April 18, 2024 by JamesMR

[JamesMR]

Update: The battery was weak, but after fully charging it, I still get the same results at the key. I have been able to bypass the ignition switch by jumping the two posts on the starter with a screwdriver while someone turns the key. The engine tries to crank, but won't turn all the way over and start. I'm not sure if it's a bad starter (even though it's brand new), an electrical issue somewhere between the key and the starter itself, a timing issue, plug issue, or a combination of some/all of these things. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[asilverblazer]

On 4/29/2024 at 11:48 AM, JamesMR said:

The engine tries to crank, but won't turn all the way over and start. 

How fast is the engine spinning? If it is turning fast and strong then the starter is fine. 

 

On 4/29/2024 at 11:48 AM, JamesMR said:

I'm not sure if it's a bad starter (even though it's brand new),

Could be.

 

On 4/29/2024 at 11:48 AM, JamesMR said:

an electrical issue somewhere between the key and the starter itself,

Maybe.

 

On 4/29/2024 at 11:48 AM, JamesMR said:

a timing issue, plug issue, or a combination of some/all of these things.

Nope.

[JamesMR]

So when I use the screwdriver to bypass the ignition, the engine spins at what I would consider normal. Maybe slightly on the slower side, but it should be fast enough for the engine to turn over and start. I wouldn't say it's sluggish. But it is still dead at the key switch. I replaced the starter relay in the fuse box with the one from the lights which I know is good and it's still a dead key. If you could tell me the most likely culprit from this info and the best way to trouble shoot it from here, I'd be very appreciative.

[asilverblazer]

I'd use a test light at the starter solenoid if its getting power when ignition switch is used. If it doesn't light, I'd consider the ignition switch.

[JamesMR]

After some extensive trouble shooting, It appears that the anti-theft has engaged and has the electrical system shut down. (the battery had died) I didn't notice the car with a lock indicator on it until this week. I have tried every trick I could find online to reset the anti-theft (turned the key on for 10 minutes, then off, on for 10 minutes then off, etc..., turned the key in the door to unlock for 1 minute, turned the key to on for 1 hour) and nothing is working. I was told that there could be an issue with the ignition switch itself. At this point, I'm ready to just take it in for a diagnostic and find out the cause from a professional. Unless anyone here has any other suggestions.

[asilverblazer]

If the keys are original a theft issue would be less likely than a bad switch.

 

If it is the start position of the switch, you should be able to put it the run position and jump the starter and the truck will run. 

 

How have you ruled out the starter solenoid? 

 

A random other failure following a starter replacement would be awfully coincidental.

[JamesMR]

I tested the starter solenoid and it spins the gear and when in the run position, I can indeed "jump" the starter and force it to engage the gear with the engine. It will crank at a very fast pace as if trying to start, but it acts like it's not getting any gas or spark at the coils. This is what led me to believe that the antitheft has the engine "shut down." You can hear the solenoid kick on when you hit the key to the on position, but it does not get power to crank the starter. Also of note, I tried to run a code reader on the truck to see if I got anything from the computer and it is dead as well. Not getting any readings whatsoever. 

[asilverblazer]

5 hours ago, JamesMR said:

Also of note, I tried to run a code reader on the truck to see if I got anything from the computer and it is dead as well. Not getting any readings whatsoever. 

Have you checked all fuses?

 

Is there no power at the OBDII port?

[JamesMR]

I only checked the fuse for the starter itself to be honest. I had a relay for the lights that I know is working and just swapped it for the starter relay. Still nothing, so the relay for the starter is good, but still no power. I will go through and test the other fuses. Any idea of which would be the best place to start checking? Also, there was no power at the OBDII port. the key is on, I have power to the accessories in the truck, but a reader shows nothing at all. I will try a different reader though. I just remembered the one I tried was brand new and from Harbor Freight. For all I know the reader wasn't even working.

[JamesMR]

I had two different fuses for the interior aux (cigar lighter and aux power) that were blown. replaced them and got power back to the OBD2 port. It just gives me an error message. Like the reader can't get a code from it. Not sure what that means. I just need a better reader I think.