need HELP FAST!!!!

[SnakeEyeSS]

he's in a parking lot and the ignition works fine until he turns it to cranking position, then everything shuts off(**when he turn's the ky to "start/crank", all the power(stereo, electronics, lights etc) shuts off**), as if he turned the ignition off.

 

96 GMC Jimmy 4.3L 4x4 Auto

 

NEW INFO: my bro made a run to teh parts store, and when he came back, his headlights were on full power by themselve.....as in the ignition was off,a nd teh headlight switch was off also........maybe its posessed

[Metz Motorsports]

might try bangin on the starter with something like a hammer. NO not hard enough to brake it, but sometimes the starter might get 'stuck' and needs some jolting to let it loose. Even if this does work, its definately a sign that the starter is going bye bye. Hope this helps

[SnakeEyeSS]

dosen't sound like the starter, when he turn's the ky to "start/crank", all the power shuts off.

[95whtZR2]

Ignition switch?

 

So it is off, then you turn it forward and all the lights come on, then you go to crank it and everything shuts off? And does it remain that way after you release it form cranking back to the on position? I really don't know, but if that is what its doing then it sounds like it might be an ignition switch...

 

 

Good luck,

Tom

 

Edit: Snakeyes, you posted as I was fixing to post, so sorry if you answered anythign that I mentioned...but just for good measure, hook a voltmeter up to the battery and see how many volts it has... Might be the battery, but dunno.

[blue2kzr2]

I'd think starter. Does anyone else notice that when you crank the engine your radio is off? EVERYTHING shuts off to provide as many amps as possible to crank the starter. Pay attention next time you start your truck, you'll see what I mean.

 

Could just be a sticking solenoid, in which case the hammer would help, just need a couple love taps on it.

[Wingnut]

I would say battery cable. Will do all sorts of goofy crap when they start to go bad. They are horrible quality from the factory, and can look great on the outside while they are rotten through the core....Kinda like some women.

 

After he cranks a couple of times, and nothing happens, is the positive cable hot to the touch?

[Metz Motorsports]

I would say battery cable. Will do all sorts of goofy crap when they start to go bad. They are horrible quality from the factory, and can look great on the outside while they are rotten through the core....Kinda like some women.

 

After he cranks a couple of times, and nothing happens, is the positive cable hot to the touch?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I agree with this thought too....the cable could have a good enough connection to transfer enough amperage to run radio, lights, gauges etc. but not enough to carry the amperage for the starter, thus taking ALL the power away from everthing else. Might just be a loose cable, or as Mr. Wingnut advises, a bad cable in general.

[nitecrawler]

I have had that happen to me with three different trucks. I just had to take wrench and tighten down the battery cables to get me home and then to help correct the problem I took the connector apart and cleaned all the corrosion on the inside with a wire wheel. That seemed to do the trick.