Truck won't start - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

c10Dream'n · 07-13-2016, 04:03 PM

My truck is not a daily driver and I don't unhook the battery when it sits. I took the battery to have it tested, it failed so I bought a new one. I bought a new alternator. The truck still won't turn over and the accessory (radio, interior lights) wont turn on either. What would be the next item to check? Thanks in advance.

joeminnesota · 07-13-2016, 04:17 PM

Make sure the connections at both ends of the battery cable are clean and tight.
Make sure the battery cables are in good shape. If they are corroded, you should be able to see the corrosion near the ends, and possibly the cable will be swelled.
Do headlights, brake lights work?

c10Dream'n · 07-13-2016, 04:19 PM

cables are good, but I will have to check the headlights and brakes when I get home.

BILT4ME · 07-13-2016, 05:50 PM

Make sure your ground wires are attached between the frame to body, battery to body, battery to engine, bed to frame.

c10Dream'n · 07-13-2016, 06:40 PM

Headlights and taillights work. All other connections as mentioned above are good. I guess I will try the starter next ?

BILT4ME · 07-13-2016, 06:55 PM

Check your voltages at the starter.

However, based on the fact that you have no accessories or interior lights, I am kinda leaning toward ignition switch.

Check fuses and remove/replace them to disturb the rust and check for continuity on them.

Does your solenoid click or engage? If not, it is the cables or ignition switch.

Did it operate before you replaced the battery and alternator?

Why did you replace the alternator?

With the truck just sitting, it should not have a parasitic voltage drain to kill the battery unless you have one of those newfangled radios installed that draws power all the time.

franken · 07-13-2016, 08:21 PM

You can replace parts for a long time and spend lots of money, but if you want to solve the problem, you need to get a DVM and start measuring.
How much have you spent on the battery, alternator and other parts so far?

**Grumpy old man** · 07-13-2016, 11:50 PM

Have you checked the fusible link ?

66clow · 07-14-2016, 01:28 AM

How long ago did it last start? Does it make any noises?

RUN GMC · 07-14-2016, 01:51 AM

Have you looked at your wiring harness connector where comes through the fire wall....sometimes they come in contact with firewall to cause a drain or old brittle connectors break or corrode...........

scooterpimp · 07-14-2016, 05:15 AM

If you have clamp on battery cable ends , thats a good place to start. They are a pain,a cheap voltmeter will be your friend.

c10Dream'n · 07-14-2016, 09:57 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up changing out the starter. First turn of the key she fired right up!!! Ended up driving her to work this morning to make her feel better.

07-13-2016, 04:03 PM	#1
c10Dream'n Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 519	Truck won't start My truck is not a daily driver and I don't unhook the battery when it sits. I took the battery to have it tested, it failed so I bought a new one. I bought a new alternator. The truck still won't turn over and the accessory (radio, interior lights) wont turn on either. What would be the next item to check? Thanks in advance.

07-13-2016, 04:17 PM	#2
joeminnesota Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Farmington MN Posts: 66	Re: Truck won't start Make sure the connections at both ends of the battery cable are clean and tight. Make sure the battery cables are in good shape. If they are corroded, you should be able to see the corrosion near the ends, and possibly the cable will be swelled. Do headlights, brake lights work? __________________ 69 C10 250 6 Cyl 4 Speed Long bed Fleetside

07-13-2016, 04:19 PM	#3
c10Dream'n Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 519	Re: Truck won't start cables are good, but I will have to check the headlights and brakes when I get home.

07-13-2016, 05:50 PM	#4
BILT4ME Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 267	Re: Truck won't start Make sure your ground wires are attached between the frame to body, battery to body, battery to engine, bed to frame. __________________ 1970 GMC K2500 Dis-use is harder on a car than mis-use.

07-13-2016, 06:40 PM	#5
c10Dream'n Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 519	Re: Truck won't start Headlights and taillights work. All other connections as mentioned above are good. I guess I will try the starter next ?

07-13-2016, 06:55 PM	#6
BILT4ME Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 267	Re: Truck won't start Check your voltages at the starter. However, based on the fact that you have no accessories or interior lights, I am kinda leaning toward ignition switch. Check fuses and remove/replace them to disturb the rust and check for continuity on them. Does your solenoid click or engage? If not, it is the cables or ignition switch. Did it operate before you replaced the battery and alternator? Why did you replace the alternator? With the truck just sitting, it should not have a parasitic voltage drain to kill the battery unless you have one of those newfangled radios installed that draws power all the time. __________________ 1970 GMC K2500 Dis-use is harder on a car than mis-use.

07-13-2016, 08:21 PM	#7
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,068	Re: Truck won't start You can replace parts for a long time and spend lots of money, but if you want to solve the problem, you need to get a DVM and start measuring. How much have you spent on the battery, alternator and other parts so far?

07-13-2016, 11:50 PM	#8
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Truck won't start Have you checked the fusible link ? __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

07-14-2016, 01:28 AM	#9
66clow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clearwater Beach Florida Posts: 872	Re: Truck won't start How long ago did it last start? Does it make any noises?

07-14-2016, 01:51 AM	#10
RUN GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: North AL Posts: 363	Re: Truck won't start Have you looked at your wiring harness connector where comes through the fire wall....sometimes they come in contact with firewall to cause a drain or old brittle connectors break or corrode........... __________________ http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...baae5d9a7e.jpg

07-14-2016, 05:15 AM	#11
scooterpimp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Newark ,Delaware Posts: 158	Re: Truck won't start If you have clamp on battery cable ends , thats a good place to start. They are a pain,a cheap voltmeter will be your friend.

07-14-2016, 09:57 AM	#12
c10Dream'n Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 519	Re: Truck won't start Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up changing out the starter. First turn of the key she fired right up!!! Ended up driving her to work this morning to make her feel better.



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