Need help on '01 Tahoe start(er) issues.....

[XFBO]

Hello All!

 

Well, as you can see Im new here and quite frankly I was hoping I wouldnt need to come here. No offense!

 

Anyways, I just bought a used '01 Tahoe (84k miles) not even two weeks ago and Im having my first problem!

 

While getting my vehicle inspected today, the inspector waves me over and asks me why my truck wont turn off. I was like what are you talking about??

 

He tells me he has the key on off but the motor is still running.....when I got over to it it seemed to be running but yet the starter was kicking over. I cant even describe it it was the single most odd car related experience Ive ever had. It was making a very weird sound. They wouldnt let me get back in the car to see so the moron kept playing with the gear selection and turning the key back n forth. Several seconds or minute later it seemed to run normal again except that with each gear change, it was making noise like it does when a motor is running and you turn the key to start........that screeching sound. If all that wasnt enough there was a distinct odor of something getting fried. By the time it got to the end of the line it crapped out altogether and it would not crank over at all......no noise!

 

Im mechanically inclined and have done a fair share of my own car repairs but I need to know before I attempt to order any parts what ANYONE with experience might think the problem here migth of been?

 

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

 

Any ideas/advice?

 

My buddy seems to think there is no way it could run in the off position unless there was a car starter added at some point.....I told him as far as I know there was definitely an alarm system removed, however, Im unsure whether or not it had a remote start option and if it makes a differnece if it was removed.

 

HELP!

[carneyman]

No idea on what could be wrong, but if you do find out whats wrong, it kinda sounds like it could be the inspectors fault if something major is wrong (since they were the ones inside messing with it when it started frying).

 

Now, are you saying it wasn't running, but the starter trying to start it? If thats the case, then it sounds like you have a short somewhere.

[Mr. Smith]

Hello All!

 

Well, as you can see Im new here and quite frankly I was hoping I wouldnt need to come here. No offense! 

 

Anyways, I just bought a used '01 Tahoe (84k miles) not even two weeks ago and Im having my first problem!

 

While getting my vehicle inspected today, the inspector waves me over and asks me why my truck wont turn off. I was like what are you talking about??

 

He tells me he has the key on off but the motor is still running.....when I got over to it it seemed to be running but yet the starter was kicking over. I cant even describe it it was the single most odd car related experience Ive ever had. It was making a very weird sound. They wouldnt let me get back in the car to see so the moron kept playing with the gear selection and turning the key back n forth. Several seconds or minute later it seemed to run normal again except that with each gear change, it was making noise like it does when a motor is running and you turn the key to start........that screeching sound. If all that wasnt enough there was a distinct odor of something getting fried. By the time it got to the end of the line it crapped out altogether and it would not crank over at all......no noise!

 

Im mechanically inclined and have done a fair share of my own car repairs but I need to know before I attempt to order any parts what ANYONE with experience might think the problem here migth of been?

 

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

 

Any ideas/advice?

 

My buddy seems to think there is no way it could run in the off position unless there was a car starter added at some point.....I told him as far as I know there was definitely an alarm system removed, however, Im unsure whether or not it had a remote start option and if it makes a differnece if it was removed.

 

HELP!

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Sounds like the bendix didn't release and the engine kept the starter turning over which fudged it all up for you. Replace the started and see what happens from there. I would ring out the starting circut before putting in the new starter though.

[XFBO]

Sounds like the bendix didn't release and the engine kept the starter turning over which fudged it all up for you. Replace the started and see what happens from there. I would ring out the starting circut before putting in the new starter though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thats EXACTLY what my local parts guy told me, Ive never heard such a thing but he specifically mentioned the bendix going bad.

 

Looking at the starter it looks like it maybe the original starter, if it is I can see it going I guess.

 

Is there any simple way to explain this process?> "ring out the starting circut"

 

I'd appreciate it, I dont need any other issues once I get the new starter in like finding out it wasnt the starter. I wasted about 2 hrs just trying to get the old one out before I had to leave for work. Tomorrow is a new day Im gonna conquer that lil ^$#&@!

[Mr. Smith]

Sounds like the bendix didn't release and the engine kept the starter turning over which fudged it all up for you. Replace the started and see what happens from there. I would ring out the starting circut before putting in the new starter though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thats EXACTLY what my local parts guy told me, Ive never heard such a thing but he specifically mentioned the bendix going bad.

 

Looking at the starter it looks like it maybe the original starter, if it is I can see it going I guess.

 

Is there any simple way to explain this process?> "ring out the starting circut"

 

I'd appreciate it, I dont need any other issues once I get the new starter in like finding out it wasnt the starter. I wasted about 2 hrs just trying to get the old one out before I had to leave for work. Tomorrow is a new day Im gonna conquer that lil ^$#&@!

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

What I would do it make sure that the switch is working. You will have to look at a wiring diagram to insure the 12 volts is going away when you release the key from start to run. If you have 2 wires it is a no brainer, but if you have 3 then it is a 50/50 shot getting it right the first time. Good Luck

[XFBO]

FWIW- I replaced my starter and everything seems to be working as it should. Before dropping in the starter tho, I found a rats nest beneath the dash where an alarm/remote start once sat. It looked as if the prior owner just snipped all the wires going to the brain and left them as is.

 

I traced them all out and found two wires that should of been respliced together but werent, atleast one of them I believe was ignition or starter related. Its very possible that one of these wires grounded out since many of these wires were not capped/taped off. I fixed as much of that mess as I could then dropped the new starter in and everything seems to be good.

 

ONE HINT I wanna give anyone trying to replace a starter in a 5.3L GM, dont make life more diffcult for you as I did. Where the starter plugs into the flywheel there is a plastic cover with one bolt that holds her in place...REMOVE that freaking bolt to loosen the cover to help expedite starter removal/replacement otherwise you will waste THREE HOURS of your time until you figure it out on your own.

[Mr. Smith]

FWIW- I replaced my starter and everything seems to be working as it should. Before dropping in the starter tho, I found a rats nest beneath the dash where an alarm/remote start once sat. It looked as if the prior owner just snipped all the wires going to the brain and left them as is.

 

I traced them all out and found two wires that should of been respliced together but werent, atleast one of them I believe was ignition or starter related. Its very possible that one of these wires grounded out since many of these wires were not capped/taped off. I fixed as much of that mess as I could then dropped the new starter in and everything seems to be good.

 

ONE HINT I wanna give anyone trying to replace a starter in a 5.3L GM, dont make life more diffcult for you as I did. Where the starter plugs into the flywheel there is a plastic cover with one bolt that holds her in place...REMOVE that freaking bolt to loosen the cover to help expedite starter removal/replacement otherwise you will waste THREE HOURS of your time until you figure it out on your own. 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Glad you got it working !