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

HoupPhotography · 10-15-2008, 10:30 PM

I have a '67 bagged LWB fleet, I just bought a new compressor and hooked up some new switches and had no problems.

The problem that started today, when the truck is layed out, it wouldn't start, like I had a dead battery. I tried ti jump it and no luck, so I put air in the front bags to look underneath, didn't see anything, and deceided to try and start it again, and it fired right up.

When I made it home, I looked for pinched wires or anything that could be tight and didn't find anything but I noticed my starter was pretty hot. Is it possible that I need a heat shield around the starter & possibly the main power wire? Is there anything I should look for that may be getting smashed? I also have my battery in the bed.

summary.....
Layed out = no power
Front aired up = power

jorgensensc · 10-15-2008, 10:42 PM

Sounds like something is grounding out. Or when it is aired out is is pulling on a power or ignition switch wire. Just some starting points.
Shawn

HoupPhotography · 10-15-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Sounds like something is grounding out. Or when it is aired out is is pulling on a power or ignition switch wire. Just some starting points.
Shawn

I was thinking the same thing, finding it is the hard part.

I appreciate the inout man, thank you!!!

**El Jay** · 10-15-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoupPhotography

I was thinking the same thing, finding it is the hard part.

I appreciate the inout man, thank you!!!

I can't help you on any of this bagged stuff, Houp.
I just noticed that you hadn't seemed to post anything for a while, so I was beginning to wonder/worry about you.

Glad to see you're still alive & kickin'!

El Jay

HoupPhotography · 10-15-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Jay

I can't help you on any of this bagged stuff, Houp.
I just noticed that you hadn't seemed to post anything for a while, so I was beginning to wonder/worry about you.

Glad to see you're still alive & kickin'!

El Jay

Hey thanks man! I'm still here, I've been super busy shooting and I can finally work on my junk since it's not 150 degrees outside. Between that and the ol' Doc telling me I need exercise & diet to get my Tri-g's, BP & cholesterol down, so I had to dedicate some time in the day for that too.

The funny thing is, I WAS only 15 lbs over my "reccomended" weight but it's in the gene's....lol!

So any who, how the heck have you been man?

**El Jay** · 10-16-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoupPhotography

Hey thanks man! I'm still here, I've been super busy shooting and I can finally work on my junk since it's not 150 degrees outside. Between that and the ol' Doc telling me I need exercise & diet to get my Tri-g's, BP & cholesterol down, so I had to dedicate some time in the day for that too.

The funny thing is, I WAS only 15 lbs over my "reccomended" weight but it's in the gene's....lol!

So any who, how the heck have you been man?

For an old guy, I've been doing all right, mostly.

I've been a little remiss in taking my BP meds, and the last few days I have'nt felt "quite right."
So this A.M., before I headed off to work, I checked my BP: High 150's over low 90's. Resting pulse rate 110+.
I jumped on the ol' meds like; "White on rice, dots on dice, cool on ice!!!"
Silent killer my a$$! My body knew to tell me something.

That's about it for now.

Don't be a freakin' stranger.
PM, or email, just to say, "Hey, I'm still alive"

El Jay

**mr48chev** · 10-16-2008, 01:01 AM

The starter may have bad bushings and be dragging when the engine is hot.
I just changed the starter in my wife's Caddy yesterday for the same thing as I was a bit in too much of a hurry to take time to replace the bushings and brushes. The local "homies" in town were impressed that an old white guy knew how to hit a starter with a rock while one of them turned the key to get the car to start.

Bushings and brushes to rebuild the starter cost under 10.00 at NAPA and it doesn't take too long to rebuild one. Usually what happens is that the drive end bushing gets worn and the armature drags on the fields when you go to start the car and it worse when the engine and starter are hot.

Other than that go through the system with a volt meter and check for voltage drops at the connections.

Often the ground connections are the problem and overlooked. Make sure that the ground connection to the block is to "bare" metal and is "tight".

umwtnt · 10-16-2008, 05:36 AM

It sounds strange that it occurs when you lay out. Have you checked all your wiring to make sure nothing is shorted or grounded out. Your starter can get extra hot if the wiring is not right. I would check all the wiring to the starter to ensure nothing is touching where it should not be. Also the ground wire is extremely important. Battery to engine, engine to frame and to the cab. It sounds like something is amiss with the wiring. I would also touch every inch of each wire to the starter, to many times I have called myself looking and missed the problem, by physically touching the wire from start to finish, you can ensure yourself that the wires are okay. Good Luck.

HoupPhotography · 10-16-2008, 05:11 PM

Thank you guys for all of your input, I'm going to dive into it tonight.

Longhorn Man · 10-16-2008, 05:51 PM

Some interesting comments.
When you tried to start it, did you get a click?
Did the BRAKE light in the dash come on?
Did any other electrical parts work?
Had you just driven it to the spot you were at, dropped the truck, and then tried to start it?
How long between when you tried jumping it, and when you got it to start?
I have a few ideas on what to look at, but some of these questions would direct me in one way or another.

HoupPhotography · 10-17-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Some interesting comments.
When you tried to start it, did you get a click? NO
Did the BRAKE light in the dash come on? I'm not 100% but I don't think so
Did any other electrical parts work? NO
Had you just driven it to the spot you were at, dropped the truck, and then tried to start it? YES
How long between when you tried jumping it, and when you got it to start? Maybe 15 20 minutes
I have a few ideas on what to look at, but some of these questions would direct me in one way or another.

Thank for your help!!!

Longhorn Man · 10-17-2008, 05:34 AM

take a real close look at the small wire that goes from the positive to the small terminal on the fender, then the small wire from said terminal, and up to the main harness and fuse box. see if something is pulling on it and making it lose contact.

**67sss** · 10-19-2008, 09:36 AM

not to rob a thread, but what is the small fuse able link that comes off the fender used for? will a engine start and run without a fuse-size unknown- in it?

Shyguy · 10-19-2008, 10:47 AM

If that is the wire that I am thinking of it supplies 12 volt to the rest of the truck.

I am not sure what size the fusible link is though.

Danny

HoupPhotography · 10-19-2008, 10:57 AM

I finally fixed/found the problem...Thanks to Longhorn man. I did follow the small wire and discovered two major issues; one the main cable was burnt and two the posotive terminal is a 2 gauge wire and reduceds to 4 under the truck between the bed and cab (the battery is in the bed) I deceided to unwrap the electrical tapejust to inspect the connections, and the crimped end was only hanging on by the electrical tape

Longhorn Man · 10-19-2008, 11:48 AM

good deal, glad you got it man.

corn · 10-19-2008, 02:27 PM

I think it was grounded out! Get it? Cuz you said you had it aired out... ya know...on the ground...ummm yea

Ohhhhh, nevermind...

HoupPhotography · 10-19-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

good deal, glad you got it man.

Me too, thanks again man!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by corn

I think it was grounded out! Get it? Cuz you said you had it aired out... ya know...on the ground...ummm yea

Ohhhhh, nevermind...

Longhorn Man · 10-19-2008, 04:39 PM

that's what this whole board thing is all about!

10-15-2008, 10:30 PM	#1
HoupPhotography Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 1,204	Starting Problems I have a '67 bagged LWB fleet, I just bought a new compressor and hooked up some new switches and had no problems. The problem that started today, when the truck is layed out, it wouldn't start, like I had a dead battery. I tried ti jump it and no luck, so I put air in the front bags to look underneath, didn't see anything, and deceided to try and start it again, and it fired right up. When I made it home, I looked for pinched wires or anything that could be tight and didn't find anything but I noticed my starter was pretty hot. Is it possible that I need a heat shield around the starter & possibly the main power wire? Is there anything I should look for that may be getting smashed? I also have my battery in the bed. summary..... Layed out = no power Front aired up = power __________________ R.I.P. Scott Kalitta Last edited by HoupPhotography; 10-15-2008 at 10:30 PM.

10-15-2008, 10:42 PM	#2
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Starting Problems Sounds like something is grounding out. Or when it is aired out is is pulling on a power or ignition switch wire. Just some starting points. Shawn __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

10-16-2008, 01:01 AM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,639	Re: Starting Problems The starter may have bad bushings and be dragging when the engine is hot. I just changed the starter in my wife's Caddy yesterday for the same thing as I was a bit in too much of a hurry to take time to replace the bushings and brushes. The local "homies" in town were impressed that an old white guy knew how to hit a starter with a rock while one of them turned the key to get the car to start. Bushings and brushes to rebuild the starter cost under 10.00 at NAPA and it doesn't take too long to rebuild one. Usually what happens is that the drive end bushing gets worn and the armature drags on the fields when you go to start the car and it worse when the engine and starter are hot. Other than that go through the system with a volt meter and check for voltage drops at the connections. Often the ground connections are the problem and overlooked. Make sure that the ground connection to the block is to "bare" metal and is "tight".

10-16-2008, 05:36 AM	#8
umwtnt Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Williamsburg, Va Posts: 226	Re: Starting Problems It sounds strange that it occurs when you lay out. Have you checked all your wiring to make sure nothing is shorted or grounded out. Your starter can get extra hot if the wiring is not right. I would check all the wiring to the starter to ensure nothing is touching where it should not be. Also the ground wire is extremely important. Battery to engine, engine to frame and to the cab. It sounds like something is amiss with the wiring. I would also touch every inch of each wire to the starter, to many times I have called myself looking and missed the problem, by physically touching the wire from start to finish, you can ensure yourself that the wires are okay. Good Luck. __________________ The more I learn, the more I find out I don't know. 69 Chevy SWB w/67 front end 4 wheel discs 468 BB 700R4 Bagged Coming around slowly

10-16-2008, 05:11 PM	#9
HoupPhotography Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 1,204	Re: Starting Problems Thank you guys for all of your input, I'm going to dive into it tonight. __________________ R.I.P. Scott Kalitta

10-16-2008, 05:51 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Starting Problems Some interesting comments. When you tried to start it, did you get a click? Did the BRAKE light in the dash come on? Did any other electrical parts work? Had you just driven it to the spot you were at, dropped the truck, and then tried to start it? How long between when you tried jumping it, and when you got it to start? I have a few ideas on what to look at, but some of these questions would direct me in one way or another.

10-17-2008, 05:34 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Starting Problems take a real close look at the small wire that goes from the positive to the small terminal on the fender, then the small wire from said terminal, and up to the main harness and fuse box. see if something is pulling on it and making it lose contact.

10-19-2008, 09:36 AM	#13
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,324	Re: Starting Problems not to rob a thread, but what is the small fuse able link that comes off the fender used for? will a engine start and run without a fuse-size unknown- in it?

10-19-2008, 10:47 AM	#14
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Starting Problems If that is the wire that I am thinking of it supplies 12 volt to the rest of the truck. I am not sure what size the fusible link is though. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

10-19-2008, 10:57 AM	#15
HoupPhotography Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 1,204	Re: Starting Problems I finally fixed/found the problem...Thanks to Longhorn man. I did follow the small wire and discovered two major issues; one the main cable was burnt and two the posotive terminal is a 2 gauge wire and reduceds to 4 under the truck between the bed and cab (the battery is in the bed) I deceided to unwrap the electrical tapejust to inspect the connections, and the crimped end was only hanging on by the electrical tape __________________ R.I.P. Scott Kalitta

10-19-2008, 11:48 AM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Starting Problems good deal, glad you got it man.

10-19-2008, 02:27 PM	#17
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Starting Problems I think it was grounded out! Get it? Cuz you said you had it aired out... ya know...on the ground...ummm yea Ohhhhh, nevermind...

10-19-2008, 04:39 PM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Starting Problems that's what this whole board thing is all about!

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