Truck Wont Start

Mark_in_Tulsa · March 15, 2009

Well tonight after dinner my truck wouldn't start. Seems to have plenty of power. Everything lights up. It just won't start.

I'm assuming its the starter. There were no signs of it going bad. Is there a solenoid that might be bad, or do I need to replace the whole starter? Anyone no how much one of those runs for an 02 5.3 silverado? Also anyone know what tools I will need to get it off. It's park in front of the local pizza joint. I just don't want to go back and forth with the wrong tools.

Also if there are any other suggestions what it may be, please help.

Zembonez · March 15, 2009

Well tonight after dinner my truck wouldn't start. Seems to have plenty of power. Everything lights up. It just won't start.

I'm assuming its the starter. There were no signs of it going bad. Is there a solenoid that might be bad, or do I need to replace the whole starter? Anyone no how much one of those runs for an 02 5.3 silverado? Also anyone know what tools I will need to get it off. It's park in front of the local pizza joint. I just don't want to go back and forth with the wrong tools.

Also if there are any other suggestions what it may be, please help.

This may sound silly but turn the key on, step on the brake, and pull the shifter down in Neutral. It is not too uncommon for the Neutral safety switch to go bad on these trucks. If it is in fact a starter the old standby trick is to get under the truck and tap it with a hammer while somebody tries to start it. If the solenoid is stuck, the tapping can dislodge it. It's a temporary fix but it might get you home.

Good luck man!

MikeInCtown · March 15, 2009

First check should be for voltage. You'll damage a GM starter if you try to crank it with less than like 9.6 volts. Check the battery voltage without trying to crank, then check as someone turns the key. If you have correct voltage when someone is turning the key then look to the starter, starter relay, or ignition switch. I don'tg know what color the lead is on the full size truck starters but with key off you should have no voltage at the solenoid and with key in crank position you should see 12v.

If you see voltage at that wire (smaller of the two as larger one is the battery cable) then it's most likely the starter is dead. If no voltage then trace the wire back to the relay (not sure where they put them on our trucks as I am going off memory for a Blazer) and see if you are getting 12v coming out of the relay. a multimeter is your friend in cases like this.

Also, have you ever replaced that specific starter before? GM doesn't like to put a lot of spare cable to the starters and when you try to pul one down you tend to have to bend the ring terminal that goes to the starter solenoid. When you bend it back you weaken it and it could break. This happened to me and my wife was stuck in a WM parking lot. I was able to pull it home and after thinking I got a bad replacement starter, I only needed to replace a $.40 connector.

superjim · March 15, 2009

Well tonight after dinner my truck wouldn't start. Seems to have plenty of power. Everything lights up. It just won't start.

I'm assuming its the starter. There were no signs of it going bad. Is there a solenoid that might be bad, or do I need to replace the whole starter? Anyone no how much one of those runs for an 02 5.3 silverado? Also anyone know what tools I will need to get it off. It's park in front of the local pizza joint. I just don't want to go back and forth with the wrong tools.

Also if there are any other suggestions what it may be, please help.

Put it in NEUTRAL and try to start it.

It may be the neutral safety switch.

rvsahs · March 15, 2009

^^^^ All good advice. Keep us posted what you find out.

Mark_in_Tulsa · March 15, 2009

Well this morning it started several times like nothing was wrong. Only thing different was that it is damp outside. Any ideas ?

2000DV4.8 · March 15, 2009

Gremlins?

TexasAl · March 15, 2009

It's probably your starter. It is giving you the first signs that it is going bad. If it is the OEM starter, it is definitely time to get it replaced. I'd personally change it now, instead of getting stuck somewhere with a dead truck. Good luck.

MikeInCtown · March 15, 2009

Well this morning it started several times like nothing was wrong. Only thing different was that it is damp outside. Any ideas ?

When it wouldn't start before was it when the engine was hot? That's an age long problem for GM vehicles. The solenoid gets too hot and won't kick work. That could explain why it started when cooled off and damp.

Odd problem for sure.

pennzoil29 · March 15, 2009

Well this morning it started several times like nothing was wrong. Only thing different was that it is damp outside. Any ideas ?

When it wouldn't start before was it when the engine was hot? That's an age long problem for GM vehicles. The solenoid gets too hot and won't kick work. That could explain why it started when cooled off and damp.

Odd problem for sure.

My daughter's Blazer is doing the same thing. She doesn't believe me.

Mark_in_Tulsa · March 15, 2009

Well this morning it started several times like nothing was wrong. Only thing different was that it is damp outside. Any ideas ?

When it wouldn't start before was it when the engine was hot? That's an age long problem for GM vehicles. The solenoid gets too hot and won't kick work. That could explain why it started when cooled off and damp.

Odd problem for sure.

Well we had driven for about 30 min around town. It was around 9 at night with the temp around 45. Stopped and ate pizza for 20 min, then went outside and it wouldn't start. So I would think it would not of been to hot, but who knows.

Also is there some kind of security issue maybe with the keyless entry. I know last night I locked it with the key fob before the wife opened the door, and she had to unlock it. Then I locked it again before she had finished closing her door with the key fob.