Newbie starter question (help!)
 

Hey guys, I know this is a real greenhorn question, but here goes: My 85 S10 Blazer wouldn't start yesterday, and I had to jump the starter. Started fine this morning. Then, same problem this afternoon. I don't know if the battery is really low on juice (just bought the truck yesterday, so don't know how old it is or anything), or if the solenoid is bad. How do I test and see whether it's the battery that's bad or the starter???? Thanks,

RainDog

Sounds like a starter problem. I had that a while back...i tested the battery (went to a local battery shop and they just tested the output) then when i knew that the battery was fine. I replaced the starter and the problem went away.
The main reason this happens (at least for me) is b/c the headers are so close to the started that it wears it out over time (over heating it). But for now you should get the battery checked and then consider looking into a starter.

Gl,
D!m

Check your grounds. Make sure they aren't loose. I replaced the starter on my uncles 91 blazer a couple weeks back and it still wouldn't start. Checked the ground and it was loose. Tightened it and it turned over.

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Alma, AR
70' Chevy Shortwide Fleetside-bagged front and rear, 350/350
69' Chevelle
96' Camaro
My Website

Steady loss of juice appears to be the symptom. Starters, most ofen when they go bad, they drag most all of the time...hot or cold. Solenoids will "click" a what seems like hundred times before they catch. I suspect your gremlin lies in the alternator, you are getting enough juice through jumpstarting, and enough voltage in the system to run the vehicle, on very little voltage, but are not continually providing a steady charge to the battery.

My brother's 84 S-10 Blazer was doing the same thing. The battery cables were totally shot. We put new ones on it (in a parking lot in the rain) and it worked fine again.

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'69 K-5 Blazer - 350/TH350, 6" lift, 35" tires
Bothell, WA

Check all the connections on the starter, and battery cables and ground wire. My '87 S-15 Jimmy has had a similar problem a couple times over the years, and both times it was wiring connections on the starter that had just loosened up over time.