Help Truck wont Start !!

95Z28LT1 · August 8, 2005

Hey everyone im new just seeing if anyone can help me out here. I have a 96 GMC K1500 with the 5.7 and a coulpe of days ago it didnt start so i tried jumping it and nothing, lights work radio .....soo the next day i hit the starter and it started for me drove it around all day and nothing happened. The next day she didnt start tried hitting the starter but didnt work this time so i took the starter out and the battery and went to autozone and had them tested, so they did the tests and everything was fine so i cleaned all connections and put everything back in and still nothing. Anybody got any ideas???????????????????

95Z28LT1 · August 8, 2005

Maybe this should be moved to new section

Ape0r · August 8, 2005

My first guess would be the positive battery cable. Check it for corrosion at the battery and starter. If it isn't too bad, you can clean it up with a grinder, or even heavy-grit sandpaper. If it is real bad, it's probably better to replace.

71GMC_3/4T · August 8, 2005

How many miles are on it?

I had a '92 K1500 Z71 that finally wore out the starter brushes at about 120K miles. It wouldn't start unless I smacked it with a hammer on the side of the starter. Then it would start for a few more times. The second time it refused to start, I bought brushes and a rebuilt starter. Luckily all I needed were the brushes and I was able to return the starter unopened. Even with bad brushes, it still might pass the test at the store.

Next time it won't start, whack the side of the starter while someone holds the key in the start position.

It could also be the PRNDL safety switch. Try wiggling the shifter, or run it through N while you hold the key in start.

Good Luck!

kdm101 · August 9, 2005

It could simply be the lock mechanism. I've seen this happen from having massively heavy keychains dangling from the lock. It wears the mechanism down to the point it's not making contact any more. My sister was driving the old family Buick Riv ('86 - first year of the touch screen dash) and was having intermittent start problems. Battery was fairly new, and the engine had been overhauled (rather poorly unfortunately). Turning on headlights and then turning key should cause some reaction. If the battery was dead or cables weren't delivering enough power, the lights should go dim our even out. They didn't change at all, but all of the dash lights would go out. They replaced the lock and all was well again. My dad was notorious for having huge keychains. Had to have the keys for everything on one ring.

There was plenty more wrong with that car, but that's another story.

95Z28LT1 · August 10, 2005

thanks everyone

95Z28LT1 · August 10, 2005

Well guys dont believe the tests they do at autozone the starter was crap but passed the test...today i went to the junkyard and bought alomost a brand new in great condition starter for 20 bucks went home and took the old one out that autozone said was good and put the new one in the truck and she fired right up.

71GMC_3/4T · August 10, 2005

Brushes most likely...

enduro74 · August 10, 2005

why would you pay $20 for used one??? are the new ones more than $30 ????

71GMC_3/4T · August 10, 2005

... for a starter?!?

A reman from the dealer is probably more than $100.

A reman from a parts house is probably near that, and they aren't worth the "lifetime warranty" in my book, unless you like changing them every year...

20 bucks for a good used starter is like a broke dick!