Ignition Problem

[Wingnut]

Got a problem with Fred ('01 Silverado).

 

I have all accessory power, plenty of juice, the alternator is working, and the battery is fine...But about every 3rd or 4th time I get in it and turn the key, nothing happens. NADA. No solenoid click, no half crank, nothing. Everything works except it doesn't crank. It's like I haven't turned the key.

 

I can keep the key turned, and after about 30 seconds it'll crank like it's brand new. Or I can keep turning the key back and forth over and over and it'll go.

 

Any ideas? Common problems that I'm missing? Do the ignition switches go bad in these trucks? I've never had a starter go bad in this way (it usually clicks or something). It acts like I've got the truck in gear and it's not sending the ignition signal or something. But playing with the gearshift lever, the steering wheel, parking brake, etc does nothing at all.

 

I'm having a hard time troubleshooting lately because I've got two herniated disks (one in lower back, and one in my neck) that are making crawling around on the floor utter hell. So I thought I'd check with you guys first before wearing myself out.

[Wingnut]

Actually...Now that I type it out...It sounds like the solenoid.

[asilverblazer]

Does wiggling the gear shifter help? My Caddy does that sometimes.

[figment3]

open up the hood and check the starter relay, you can swap the headlamp one with the starter one and see if that helps

[Wingnut]

Does wiggling the gear shifter help? My Caddy does that sometimes.

 

Nope. That's the first thing I tried.

 

I'm now leaning back towards the ignition being on it's way out. Anybody know how much THAT costs?

[Zembonez]

Does wiggling the gear shifter help? My Caddy does that sometimes.

 

Nope. That's the first thing I tried.

 

I'm now leaning back towards the ignition being on it's way out. Anybody know how much THAT costs?

 

IF you haven't solved this yet... There is an ignition kill on that truck that was part of the power keyless entry / lock / alarm I added. The wires and a relay are under the dash. (should be bundled up behind the lower plastic cover). I never used the starter kill but that could be the gremlin.

 

Call me if it isn't obvious.

[Wingnut]

Does wiggling the gear shifter help? My Caddy does that sometimes.

 

Nope. That's the first thing I tried.

 

I'm now leaning back towards the ignition being on it's way out. Anybody know how much THAT costs?

 

IF you haven't solved this yet... There is an ignition kill on that truck that was part of the power keyless entry / lock / alarm I added. The wires and a relay are under the dash. (should be bundled up behind the lower plastic cover). I never used the starter kill but that could be the gremlin.

 

Call me if it isn't obvious.

 

 

HAHAHA! THAT...HAHAHA!

 

That might have been good info to have at some point

 

I'll ad that to the list of possible culprits (I've not been driving it much).

[98 Z71 SLT]

One of 2 possible things.

 

1. Your positive battery terminal is all corroded. Pull the battery cables, and check to see that no corrosion is present. If no corrosion, proceed..

 

2. Replace your ignition switch inside the steering column. You said you are having back problems...you may want to pay somebody else to do this job...

[Wingnut]

I've checked the battery terminals, and I've had enough of the cables go bad, I'm used to the symptoms My back is getting better with all the $$$ thrown at chiropractors and physical therapists for the last couple of months, so I should be able to handle it. Especially if I take the seat out to get at it ;)

 

Thanks for the PM Jim, I'm not going to be home for the next couple of days...But I might drop you a line later next week when I can get to it.