98 Sierra No Start

[bigrippin1]

i just replace my fuel pump in my 98 sierra 5.7l. when i went to start it something under the hood popped and now it wont crank. i've checked all fuses. the starter relay is good and gets power. could it be the starter or a bad ground somewhere? fuseable link somewhere? thanks for the help!

[bill190]

If you have a separate starter relay (separate from starter)...

 

Does the starter relay make a clicking sound when you turn the key to start?

 

Then the starter relay itself probably gets its power from one source and the contacts and power being switched by the starter relay would get its power from another source and this might include a fusible link.

 

So with a multimeter measure the contacts at the starter relay. This would be the two big wire connections. One wire should have +12 volts. Then have someone else turn the key to start the vehicle. The other contact should now have +12 volts as well and you should be able to hear the starter relay click.

 

If the starter relay is part of the starter, then you should have +12 volts going to a large wire on the starter. And get +12 volts to the small wire when your turn the key to start. The small wire is what would make it make a "clicking noise".

 

If the +12 volts is not at the large wire on the starter, then trace that back to the battery and see what is wrong. This should be a fusible link.

[bigrippin1]

hey, thank for the reply. i believe i have it figured out. when checking for power at the starter i noticed a hole about 3/8 in diameter on the starter body. i guessing the popping noise i heard was the starter shorting out on the starter body. i pulled it out and bench tested it and it did not work. now i just have to wait for my housemate to come home with a new starter for me. i'll report back to let you guys know if it works.