Turn the key, and nothin

Noise · June 2, 2004

I have a 1987 Chevy Blazer, 350 TBI. last night i had to run to the store, when i started the truck, it suddenly acted like the battery was weak. i thought to myself, strange were did that come from. has been starting fine. went 3 blks and parked it at the store. was in there no more then 5 mins. went to start the truck, and nothing, not even a click. all the accessories, lights stereo all work fine. nothing looks dim. anybody have any ideas? would appreciate it. i'm right in the middle of job hunting, i need to get this thing back on the road.

Larry · June 3, 2004

Possible causes…

- Failing starter motor. High resistance…high starter motor drag…slow crank…click click click if anything at all. Give the starter motor a good whack with a blunt object….if it starts or cranks easier…get a starter.

- Weak battery- doubtful

- Weak battery due to failing alternator – doubtful

Where you able to jump-start it? How did you get it home?

If you find it is the starter do your self a favor and buy a late model 1996 or newer gear reduction starter motor. A tad more pricey but a much better performer. It is a direct bold on and sounds cool too when you hit the key. I run a 2001 model year mini starter in my 78’ K10 with a late model L29 454.

snoman · June 3, 2004

I have a 1987 Chevy Blazer, 350 TBI. last night i had to run to the store, when i started the truck, it suddenly acted like the battery was weak. i thought to myself, strange were did that come from. has been starting fine. went 3 blks and parked it at the store. was in there no more then 5 mins. went to start the truck, and nothing, not even a click. all the accessories, lights stereo all work fine. nothing looks dim. anybody have any ideas? would appreciate it. i'm right in the middle of job hunting, i need to get this thing back on the road.

This is a cross post moderators. It is most likey the battery as I have stated elsewhere.

Noise · June 3, 2004

it looks like it is the starter. after i pulled it out, i put some power to it, and only reaction from it was some slight movement, and a humming sound. i guess you could call it that.

a mini starter, never heard of that. i like your advice on the later model. i can here the guy at the auto parts store now harping about the warrnty if i put a late model starter in my 87. should i just go and ask for a starter for a say 2001 chevy instead?

snoman · June 3, 2004

Possible causes…

- Failing starter motor. High resistance…high starter motor drag…slow crank…click click click if anything at all. Give the starter motor a good whack with a blunt object….if it starts or cranks easier…get a starter.

- Weak battery- doubtful

- Weak battery due to failing alternator – doubtful

Where you able to jump-start it? How did you get it home?

If you find it is the starter do your self a favor and buy a late model 1996 or newer gear reduction starter motor. A tad more pricey but a much better performer. It is a direct bold on and sounds cool too when you hit the key. I run a 2001 model year mini starter in my 78’ K10 with a late model L29 454.

I have personally seen a weak battery cause this a lot. A hot engine can take more juice than a cold on to start sometimes. Many years ago (about 30) I had a 69 Impala SS 396 that suddenly got hard starting when hot for no apparent reason. I resisted and changed cables and even starter to no avail. Replaced battery and problem went away and never came back while I still owned it!

Larry · June 4, 2004

it looks like it is the starter. after i pulled it out, i put some power to it, and only reaction from it was some slight movement, and a humming sound. i guess you could call it that.
a mini starter, never heard of that. i like your advice on the later model. i can here the guy at the auto parts store now harping about the warrnty if i put a late model starter in my 87. should i just go and ask for a starter for a say 2001 chevy instead?

Noise,

Sounds like a starter to me…actually only a solenoid but only cheapskates replace just the solenoid.

I wasn’t very clear on the late model starter that I would recommend. You would need one from a L31 5.7L with a 168 tooth flywheel (all 5.7 had 168 teeth). The starters on the late model Silverado/Sierra 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 are different and would not fit a 5.7.

AC Delco part number 323-485. Smaller starter, higher torque and a direct bolt on. Sweet!

If you go with the later style starter you may need to get different starter bolts. I used all new fasteners when I installed my L29.

Here is what my late model mini starter looks like bolted onto the 454 in my 78’. This is not a very good picture because the wiring was not tucked in yet as I was still installing the exhaust here.

Hope it works out for you.

citydriver · June 4, 2004

If the lights dont even dim when its not starting,it may also be the Neutral Safety/Back-up lamp switch...What does it do when you try to start it in Neutral?

Noise · June 7, 2004

thnx for the help guys. it was the starter. i looked into getting the AC Delco part number 323-485, but was just to much money to put out at this time. it is on my "wants" list, as soon as the income has become more stable.