Truck Won't Start - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 10-13-2003, 09:17 PM

Yesterday I went out to start my truck. It fired-up just fine, but when I put it into drive it stalled. When I tried to start it again, I got nothing except the warm glow of the warning lights.

There is lots of power - the lights, fan, and radio all work.

All the fuses are good.

Suggestions?

71GMC_3/4T · 10-13-2003, 09:27 PM

Turn on the headlights and try to start it.
If they go out, you have a bad battery, or bad connection at the battery. If they flicker or don't dim at all, you have a bad starter or solenoid. Chances are your starter brushes are worn down to where they're riding on the plastic holder. If you need to start it one or two more times, have someone hold the key in the start position while you gently whack the side of the starter with a hammer. Brushes are much cheaper than a rebuilt starter, and easy to replace. I usually buy a rebuilt starter (but don't open the box) and a set of brushes. It's nice to go back to the parts store and return a starter and only shell out $15 for brushes.

lukecp · 10-13-2003, 09:28 PM

Check for gas and check for spark.

You should be able to pull the throttle cable and hear gas squirting down the carb. If you have gas then check for spark.

Pull a plug wire, put a screwdriver in the plug wire boot, and hold the shaft of the screwdriver about 1/8" away from the end of the spark plug. Then have someone crank over the truck. If you have spark, you will see a spark jump from the shaft of the screwdriver to the spark plug. Just be careful not to get shocked.

lukecp · 10-13-2003, 09:30 PM

Nevermind, i just reread your post...your truck won't crank.

In that case, lisetn to 71GMC_3/4T

bluec10 · 10-13-2003, 09:36 PM

I get absolutely nothing from the starter. I don't even hear the solenoid clicking.

Denny · 10-13-2003, 09:46 PM

You might want to check the small wires going to the solenoid on the starter, one may be broken. Good luck

71GMC_3/4T · 10-13-2003, 10:16 PM

Wiggle the gear shift. Try Neutral if Park doesn't work.
Maybe you lost the starter safety switch on top of the steering column?

dinnut · 10-13-2003, 11:29 PM

if all else fails. kick it.

Longhorn Man · 10-14-2003, 12:08 AM

Also the plug on the back side of the ignition switch commonly melts and causes too much resistance in the circuit.

RAT-AT-TACH · 10-14-2003, 12:15 AM

my brothers s-10 did the same thing,it ran fine,shut it of went to start it again and nothing so we jumped it ran it for awhile then tried again and nothing except the smell of rotten eggs from the battery it turns out it was over chargeing it seems fine now after a new battery but still no idea what caused it.

Longhorn Man · 10-14-2003, 10:32 PM

Internal damage on a bettery is more common than you thing...esp on teh cheap wall mart batterys and the junk NAPA ones too.

bluec10 · 11-03-2003, 08:24 PM

Victory! I bought a rebuilt starter, installed it, and she fired right up! I think the problem was probably the solenoid (I heard no clicking), but the starter is old enough to warrent changing the whole thing. Thanks for your suggestions - they helped me troubleshoot to the point where I eliminated the other possibilities.

10-13-2003, 09:17 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Truck Won't Start Yesterday I went out to start my truck. It fired-up just fine, but when I put it into drive it stalled. When I tried to start it again, I got nothing except the warm glow of the warning lights. There is lots of power - the lights, fan, and radio all work. All the fuses are good. Suggestions? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

10-13-2003, 09:27 PM	#2
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Turn on the headlights and try to start it. If they go out, you have a bad battery, or bad connection at the battery. If they flicker or don't dim at all, you have a bad starter or solenoid. Chances are your starter brushes are worn down to where they're riding on the plastic holder. If you need to start it one or two more times, have someone hold the key in the start position while you gently whack the side of the starter with a hammer. Brushes are much cheaper than a rebuilt starter, and easy to replace. I usually buy a rebuilt starter (but don't open the box) and a set of brushes. It's nice to go back to the parts store and return a starter and only shell out $15 for brushes. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

10-13-2003, 09:28 PM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Check for gas and check for spark. You should be able to pull the throttle cable and hear gas squirting down the carb. If you have gas then check for spark. Pull a plug wire, put a screwdriver in the plug wire boot, and hold the shaft of the screwdriver about 1/8" away from the end of the spark plug. Then have someone crank over the truck. If you have spark, you will see a spark jump from the shaft of the screwdriver to the spark plug. Just be careful not to get shocked. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

10-13-2003, 09:30 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Nevermind, i just reread your post...your truck won't crank. In that case, lisetn to 71GMC_3/4T __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

10-13-2003, 09:36 PM	#5
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	I get absolutely nothing from the starter. I don't even hear the solenoid clicking. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

10-13-2003, 09:46 PM	#6
Denny Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cedar Hill, MO Posts: 426	You might want to check the small wires going to the solenoid on the starter, one may be broken. Good luck __________________ 1969 Chevy C10. Dakota Digital Gauges, 383 Votex Engine, MSD 8361 Distributor, MSD 6A Unit, Demon Carb, Phoenix Transmission 4L80E trans, 3:73 Posi Rear End Early Classics 6 Lug Disc Brakes and Spindles All Stainless Lines

10-13-2003, 10:16 PM	#7
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Wiggle the gear shift. Try Neutral if Park doesn't work. Maybe you lost the starter safety switch on top of the steering column? __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

10-13-2003, 11:29 PM	#8
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	if all else fails. kick it. __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

10-14-2003, 12:08 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Also the plug on the back side of the ignition switch commonly melts and causes too much resistance in the circuit.

10-14-2003, 12:15 AM	#10
RAT-AT-TACH Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: shawnigan lake b.c. canada Posts: 287	my brothers s-10 did the same thing,it ran fine,shut it of went to start it again and nothing so we jumped it ran it for awhile then tried again and nothing except the smell of rotten eggs from the battery it turns out it was over chargeing it seems fine now after a new battery but still no idea what caused it.

10-14-2003, 10:32 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Internal damage on a bettery is more common than you thing...esp on teh cheap wall mart batterys and the junk NAPA ones too.

11-03-2003, 08:24 PM	#12
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Victory! I bought a rebuilt starter, installed it, and she fired right up! I think the problem was probably the solenoid (I heard no clicking), but the starter is old enough to warrent changing the whole thing. Thanks for your suggestions - they helped me troubleshoot to the point where I eliminated the other possibilities. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

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