Starter Trouble, All Click No Crank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blue85 · 01-17-2005, 01:29 PM

The starter on my 72 started being a pos yesterday, it worked fine all day, then it sat for about 2 hours now al i get is a click. Sounds like the solenoid is working just not the motor itself, anyone have any ideas on what to do to diagnose the trouble? Their isn't anyplace around that does testing or anything like that. Thanls alot guys!

Gordo · 01-17-2005, 01:51 PM

First, is the battery good? Have you tried to jump it? Have you checked all connections including batt posts and cable ends? If so it could be the contacts within the solenoid are shot or the brushes in the starter motor are worn down. Try giving the starter motor a "wack" or two with a hammer. If it starts, the brushes are more than likely worn down to their limit. If it still doesn't start, my guess from here would be the solenoid. In any case it may be time for starter/solenoid replacement. Your local parts store should be able to bench test it.

Blue Beard · 01-17-2005, 04:34 PM

I've always went straight to the ground terminal on the battery.

poff · 01-17-2005, 05:48 PM

After you check for the obvious battery and cable problems. Pull the solenoid off and disassemble it. Inside is a contact bolt and disc. The contact bolt contacts the disc to operate the starter. This contact bolt wears down after a while. If you unbolt it you can rotate it 180 degrees this often fixes the problem.

Blue85 · 01-17-2005, 08:42 PM

Well i checked all the cables and connections and it didn't help so i got my buddy to turn the key while i smoked the starter with a 5 pound sledge and it started

Longhorn Man · 01-17-2005, 09:50 PM

Time for a replacement then.

72gord · 01-18-2005, 12:21 AM

My type of guy...if it don't work get a bigger hammer, done it many times myself!

PT'S 70 CST · 01-18-2005, 01:17 AM

Like poff said you can rotate the two bolts they are copper and while you have it apart take the washer off and sand it down, it will be pitted. I had a 63 Nova SS in high school and had no $ back in the day and have done a many solinoids like that. Or spend a little $ and get a new one.

01-17-2005, 01:29 PM	#1
Blue85 Oilfield Trash Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raymore, Sk, Canada, Earth Posts: 3,171	Starter Trouble, All Click No Crank The starter on my 72 started being a pos yesterday, it worked fine all day, then it sat for about 2 hours now al i get is a click. Sounds like the solenoid is working just not the motor itself, anyone have any ideas on what to do to diagnose the trouble? Their isn't anyplace around that does testing or anything like that. Thanls alot guys! __________________ 14 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 08 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 87 Chev 3+3 4x4 80 GMC K10 High Sierra bone stock 70 Chevelle 350SS long term project 68 GMC 3ton Grain Truck/Garbage wagon 50 Pontiac 2 Door Coupe Project "I've got a shotgun rifle and a 4 wheel drive and a country boy can survive" Hank Jr.

01-17-2005, 01:51 PM	#2
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	First, is the battery good? Have you tried to jump it? Have you checked all connections including batt posts and cable ends? If so it could be the contacts within the solenoid are shot or the brushes in the starter motor are worn down. Try giving the starter motor a "wack" or two with a hammer. If it starts, the brushes are more than likely worn down to their limit. If it still doesn't start, my guess from here would be the solenoid. In any case it may be time for starter/solenoid replacement. Your local parts store should be able to bench test it. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

01-17-2005, 04:34 PM	#3
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	I've always went straight to the ground terminal on the battery. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

01-17-2005, 05:48 PM	#4
poff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 546	After you check for the obvious battery and cable problems. Pull the solenoid off and disassemble it. Inside is a contact bolt and disc. The contact bolt contacts the disc to operate the starter. This contact bolt wears down after a while. If you unbolt it you can rotate it 180 degrees this often fixes the problem. __________________ '70 K-20 San Diego, CA

01-17-2005, 08:42 PM	#5
Blue85 Oilfield Trash Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raymore, Sk, Canada, Earth Posts: 3,171	Well i checked all the cables and connections and it didn't help so i got my buddy to turn the key while i smoked the starter with a 5 pound sledge and it started __________________ 14 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 08 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 87 Chev 3+3 4x4 80 GMC K10 High Sierra bone stock 70 Chevelle 350SS long term project 68 GMC 3ton Grain Truck/Garbage wagon 50 Pontiac 2 Door Coupe Project "I've got a shotgun rifle and a 4 wheel drive and a country boy can survive" Hank Jr.

01-17-2005, 09:50 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Time for a replacement then.

01-18-2005, 12:21 AM	#7
72gord Never enough time!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: sw Wisconsin Posts: 602	My type of guy...if it don't work get a bigger hammer, done it many times myself!

01-18-2005, 01:17 AM	#8
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	Like poff said you can rotate the two bolts they are copper and while you have it apart take the washer off and sand it down, it will be pitted. I had a 63 Nova SS in high school and had no $ back in the day and have done a many solinoids like that. Or spend a little $ and get a new one. __________________ 70 CST SWB 70 NOVA 93 Indy 500 Pace Truck (SOLD) 94 SILVERADO SWB 5/7 drop 2000 Silverado swb 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 (Surprisingly very fast) 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali BATESBURG, SC. 29006 29006 Some of my restorations http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thu...NAME=snapfish/ Restored Tach tins 8 cyl - 6 cyl http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518185 Contact info(Not my paypal address) DAWGSFAN227@YAHOO.COM God Bless Our Troops

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