Starting problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

palallin · 03-27-2016, 02:09 PM

2001 Tahoe, 5.3.

Tried to start this morning, but got one click, no attempt to turn over. All lights OK, but charged Battery to be sure. No change after charging.

Any suggestions?

'63GENIII · 03-28-2016, 12:51 AM

Battery cables maybe?

palallin · 03-28-2016, 08:13 AM

I will certainly check again, but there is no apparent corrosion or build up of crud. The engine compartment on this vehicle is remarkably clean and well-tended (just acquired it--I take not credit for its care until last week).

LBJ · 03-28-2016, 10:58 AM

Starter bad? Solenoid could have quit. But, a battery can run the headlights even when low. Can you check battery voltage with a meter? Unless you know the battery is fairly new, could be the battery gave up the ghost. It's gotta be one or the other. Might try jumping the battery and see if that works. If not, then you likely have a bad starter.

palallin · 03-29-2016, 01:18 PM

OK, so I tried again this morning to start it without success, so I unhooked the battery and tried to drop the starter. It ain't happening in my driveway. I can't get the thing turned right to get it past all the obstacles to clear the bell housing. So I put I back together, planning to call a tow and take it to someone with a rack and a shop.

Before making the call, I turned the key just for grins.

It started. Just fine, no hesitation, no cranking, no clicking--just instant Vroom.

I almost fell over.

Flipped it off to try again. Started. Two, three more times, it started. Turned it off and let it set. It started.

I have not charged the battery (new 11/15), and the connections are clean as new.

All I can think is that disconnecting and reconnecting the battery reset something. As I understand it, the Security system kills the fuel pump allowing the engine to crank. Am I right about that?

I don't know that I can trust it, but I don't know that I can't, either.

????????

gmclowsierra · 03-29-2016, 03:17 PM

my guess is that the solenoid is going bad. from banging on everything to get it out it freed up the brushes and let it spin over. if that's what it is then it will act up again. also the trick to getting the starter out is to pull the dipstick tube out. that gives you enough room to get it out.

palallin · 03-29-2016, 03:43 PM

To get the tube out, unbolt and then just pull?

palallin · 03-30-2016, 11:38 AM

Thanks for all the advice, guys! New starter in--never woulda made it without pulling the dip tube--and all is currently OK.

03-27-2016, 02:09 PM	#1
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Starting problem 2001 Tahoe, 5.3. Tried to start this morning, but got one click, no attempt to turn over. All lights OK, but charged Battery to be sure. No change after charging. Any suggestions? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

03-28-2016, 12:51 AM	#2
'63GENIII Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Carlos, Ca. Posts: 3,048	Re: Starting problem Battery cables maybe? __________________ Chris '63 k15 long step Vortec 7.4 - L29 Blackbear tune, Five 0 Motorsports injectors, Chris Straub Cam, NV4500, divorced 205 52" front and 63" rear spring swap D44 / 14bff - disc axles Milemarker 9K and 10.5K hydraulic winches 63" & B52 Spring Install http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread NV4500 Reverse Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=reverse+build L29 - 7.4 Vortec Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=L29

03-28-2016, 08:13 AM	#3
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: Starting problem I will certainly check again, but there is no apparent corrosion or build up of crud. The engine compartment on this vehicle is remarkably clean and well-tended (just acquired it--I take not credit for its care until last week). __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

03-28-2016, 10:58 AM	#4
LBJ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: TEXAS Posts: 378	Re: Starting problem Starter bad? Solenoid could have quit. But, a battery can run the headlights even when low. Can you check battery voltage with a meter? Unless you know the battery is fairly new, could be the battery gave up the ghost. It's gotta be one or the other. Might try jumping the battery and see if that works. If not, then you likely have a bad starter.

03-29-2016, 01:18 PM	#5
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: Starting problem OK, so I tried again this morning to start it without success, so I unhooked the battery and tried to drop the starter. It ain't happening in my driveway. I can't get the thing turned right to get it past all the obstacles to clear the bell housing. So I put I back together, planning to call a tow and take it to someone with a rack and a shop. Before making the call, I turned the key just for grins. It started. Just fine, no hesitation, no cranking, no clicking--just instant Vroom. I almost fell over. Flipped it off to try again. Started. Two, three more times, it started. Turned it off and let it set. It started. I have not charged the battery (new 11/15), and the connections are clean as new. All I can think is that disconnecting and reconnecting the battery reset something. As I understand it, the Security system kills the fuel pump allowing the engine to crank. Am I right about that? I don't know that I can trust it, but I don't know that I can't, either. ???????? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

03-29-2016, 03:17 PM	#6
gmclowsierra Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: williamsport,pa Posts: 329	Re: Starting problem my guess is that the solenoid is going bad. from banging on everything to get it out it freed up the brushes and let it spin over. if that's what it is then it will act up again. also the trick to getting the starter out is to pull the dipstick tube out. that gives you enough room to get it out.

03-29-2016, 03:43 PM	#7
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: Starting problem To get the tube out, unbolt and then just pull? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

03-30-2016, 11:38 AM	#8
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: Starting problem Thanks for all the advice, guys! New starter in--never woulda made it without pulling the dip tube--and all is currently OK. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.



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