Truck wouldn't start or turn over

[02SierraZ71]

Well my truck hasnt been starting right for about the the last 3-4 months. SYMPTOM ~ truck didnt start (turn over) but the electric still would work. The battery was showing the green light. The crazy thing is that the truck would decide to start when it wanted to. Normally it ran good for a few days, then would start to act up. Rainy or cold weather, or even evening hours seemed to maybe make it start up.

 

It wouldnt start again on Monday nite. I screwed around all day yesterday disconnecting the battery and letting the computer re-set and still no luck. I noticed this morning that the GREEN light from the stock battery was not on. I then used a trickle charger for about 2 hours, and it started. I went out and got a new INTERSTATE mega-tron battery without shutting off the engine at the store. This was smart because when I got back home and shut the truck off, it didnt start.

 

I have the trickle charger on the new battery and will install as soon as its topped off.

 

I'll be back with updates. I've been searching and this seems like a very common problem.

 

[budhayes3]

That little green indicator (actually a hydrometer) is pretty useless, it only gives you the condition of one cell. Hopefully the new battery will fix you up Be sure to check the condition of the cables and terminals while you're in there.

[02SierraZ71]

the terminals seem ok. I've had the truck to the dealer twice and they couldnt find the problem.

 

Well, it looks like the battery is charged. Now I gotta get charged up with a few beers to change this thing ~ its really freakin cold outside and the wind is blowing.

 

It's worth it though, if it works.

[firstruck]

Sounds like a classic case of a bad engine grounding strap. The moisture from the air/rain makes it easier for the current to jump the air gap in a loose or rusted ground strap connection. check where NEG cable bolts to the block, clean it up and see if it helps.

[02SierraZ71]

Sounds like a classic case of a bad engine grounding strap.  The moisture from the air/rain makes it easier for the current to jump the air gap in a loose or rusted ground strap connection.  check where NEG cable bolts to the block, clean it up and see if it helps.

 

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sounds interesting, im going out to change out the battery, ill look for this strap.

 

Where on the block is it? which side?

 

its 17 degrees with a wind chill of 5 degrees outside

[02SierraZ71]

ok, the new battery is installed and fits perfectly. Now for the important part: did it start? well

 

NO IT DIDN'T START

 

THE ELECTRIC STUFF STILL WORKS

 

im glad i bought beer and some food while I had it running earlier today.

 

 

wtf is wrong with this truck???

 

WHERE IS THE GROUNDING STRAP?

 

(when im trying to start the engine, i can hear some real faint "noises" somewhere under the hood sometimes when i turn the key on and off)

 

 

any help is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

 

i wish i would have bought the helm service manual when i bought the truck like i was going to do

 

 

i hate to admit it, but this has really got me down now, this was a great truck

[budhayes3]

If you're hearing a solid "click", the problem might be the starter. I've also heard of some of these trucks experiencing trouble with the ignition switches. You could try moving the shifter around and even wiggling the key a little bit to see if that helps. Neutral safety switch is another possibility, but not very common.

[02SierraZ71]

If you're hearing a solid "click", the problem might be the starter. I've also heard of some of these trucks experiencing trouble with the ignition switches. You could try moving the shifter around and even wiggling the key a little bit to see if that helps. Neutral safety switch is another possibility, but not very common.

 

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its definetly not a solid click. ive tried moving the shifter and wiggling the key so much im afraid im gonna break stuff because of the built up frustration. this is starting to make me crazy

 

id like to replace this neutral safety switch i guess. when i had it to the dealer one time they switched a "switch", but i had to biccch for them to do that because the truck was working at the time. I'm sure if i call to have it towed to the dealer it will start up and they will tell me like before that they cant fix it if it works.

 

 

 

 

 

thanks for the help, and i would like some more please.

[firstruck]

If you're hearing a solid "click", the problem might be the starter. I've also heard of some of these trucks experiencing trouble with the ignition switches. You could try moving the shifter around and even wiggling the key a little bit to see if that helps. Neutral safety switch is another possibility, but not very common.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

its definetly not a solid click. ive tried moving the shifter and wiggling the key so much im afraid im gonna break stuff because of the built up frustration. this is starting to make me crazy

 

id like to replace this neutral safety switch i guess. when i had it to the dealer one time they switched a "switch", but i had to biccch for them to do that because the truck was working at the time. I'm sure if i call to have it towed to the dealer it will start up and they will tell me like before that they cant fix it if it works.

 

 

 

 

 

thanks for the help, and i would like some more please.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I don't know where the grounding strap is exactly on your truck. From the battery NEG terminal are usually two wires(cables), a thinner one that feeds the electronics and a fatter one that completes the circuit fro the starter. This heavy cable runs down to engine block and is usually sercured on post in an unreachable area..arrghhh...why do they do that? Also if you haven't already pop open the fuse/relay box under the hood and jiggle all the relays and such... good luck..

[02SierraZ71]

well i went out to try to start the f'n thing today and NOTHING. all the electrical still works so i can listen to the radio and turn on the heated seat while i turn the key

 

this sucks

 

i guess i gotta get the f'n thing toed to the dealer and see what happens.

 

does anyone have any ideas, ill try anything

 

 

 

[firstruck]

Have you tried rocking the truck back and forth? sometimes helps in getting the shift interlock to engage.

[02SierraZ71]

Have you tried rocking the truck back and forth? sometimes helps in getting the shift interlock to engage.

 

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no i havent tried that, never crossed my mind, but i am about to try

 

 

[firstruck]

Look there's only a few things it can be.

 

On the control side:

 

 

IGN C fuse 20A - underhood panel

Starter motor relay -same

 

IGN switch itself

 

Crank fuse 10A -left fuse panel

Park/neutral sw.

 

On the starter side:

 

IGN A fuse 40A -underhood panel

Starter motor relay (contacts)

Starter solenoid

Starter motor

[02SierraZ71]

Look there's only a few things it can be.

 

On the control side:

 

 

IGN C fuse 20A - underhood panel

Starter motor relay -same

 

IGN switch itself

 

Crank fuse 10A -left fuse panel

Park/neutral sw.

 

On the starter side:

 

IGN A fuse 40A -underhood panel

Starter motor relay (contacts)

Starter solenoid

Starter motor

 

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thank you very much for your help: i will check all that you have mentioned.

 

where is the starter solenoid and starter motor?

 

How would you know if a relay was bad?/or the relay contacts?

 

also, where is the Park/neutral switch???????

 

thanks again

 

 

[02SierraZ71]

i dont know if this means anything but i can hear a "click" coming from the underhood fuse box when i turn the key, and there is another noise coming somewhere near the engine/firewall when i turn the key off.