Power "On" - but no Crank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*Zilverado* · 04-05-2008, 04:11 PM

Hey Folks.

So it feels like absolutely FOREVER since I've posted - I've nosed around at times, but have just been a bit pre-occupied. It's great to see that this place is still hopping, despite the INSANE fuel prices.

So, for the past week, the Chevy's been our daily driver as I dealt with "no-crank" issues on our Pathfinder. The very day I got the Pathy running, a similar problem comes up with the Chevy - now it's dead on the driveway (thank goodness it waited as long as it did).

The problem...

Absolutely nothing when I turn the key to the "start" position. Full power to all accessories, headlights, etc., just nothing to the starter - not even a relay click. This is the case both in Park and in Neutral.

No blown fuses (at least not in the cabin panel), and battery and terminal connections are spotless.

So, is there a relay somewhere I should be checking? Anything else?

Thanks so much.

cochino12 · 04-05-2008, 04:18 PM

battery cables, dirty connections?

jchav62 · 04-05-2008, 04:24 PM

Bad starter? Give it a couple taps with a hammer or something, then try to start it...

*Zilverado* · 04-05-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cochino12

battery cables, dirty connections?

Certainly not on the top side. The lead cable terminals (ends) are almost brand new, as well as the battery. There is not even a hint of corrosion anywhere near the battery. Now, I have not actually taken a look underneath at the starter end, but I suspect I'll need to do that as soon as possible. I just thought I would get some ideas to hunt down.

Thanks.

slug · 04-05-2008, 04:33 PM

a bad fuseable link might be the culprit. check all your wires going to the starter. give them a squeeze with wour fingers. if a fuseable link is bad it will be soft.

*Zilverado* · 04-05-2008, 04:40 PM

Wow! thanks so much guys for all the quick replies. Unfortunately, I am sick at home to day, and do not feel up to crawling around under the truck. You've certainly given me a few directions to look, once I feel up to it.

Keep 'em coming...

harnalien · 04-05-2008, 07:56 PM

don't know if this helps, but that's exactly what happened to my '02 tahoe, and it was the starter. worked fine that morning, drove to breakfast, came out, and kaputt.

*Zilverado* · 04-07-2008, 11:34 PM

UPDATE!

So I removed the starter and had it tested - worked fine. So I moved onto trying to trace an electrical problem.

The main battery lead has power. The smaller lead to the solenoid, which I assue should get power when the key is turned, has none. So I trace the wire back to the fire wall where it goes into a junction box (photo). I am assuming this is the location of the fusible link???

Red Arrows - Fusible link? This wire is EXREMELY soft. feels nore like a piece of soft tubing than a wire.

Yellow Arrow - junction from one wire (fusible link) to two wires.

Green Arrow - This wire seems to run continuous and is very stiff. Is this also a fusible link?

So is this my fusible link? Any other thoughts on how to test this stuff?

Thanks.

Pyrotechnic · 04-08-2008, 12:02 AM

Sometimes either the Park/Neutral safety switch or the ignition switch on the steering column come loose and the rod doesn't actuate it. Happened on my 78.

lurch115 · 04-08-2008, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Sometimes either the Park/Neutral safety switch or the ignition switch on the steering column come loose and the rod doesn't actuate it. Happened on my 78.

i had the ignition switch go bad in my 4x4 and it did the same thing...click but no start unless i tried it about 30 times then it would roll over....

*Zilverado* · 04-15-2008, 05:20 AM

Well, thanks again for all the suggestions here. Just thought I would update and "close" this thread...

On Friday after reinstalling the starter that "tested" ok, the truck fired right up. Then I tried the key again and nothing! After rapping on the solenoid (I had tried this earlier), it fired again.

So, I spent the $120 on a brand new Hitachi starter (not rebuilt), and all has been great since. In fact, the truck has never turned over as rapidly as it does now - - that's one healthy starter.

So, thanks again for all the help, but it looks like the starter was the problem after all.

1975stepside · 04-16-2008, 04:31 AM

Sometimes the starter motor's brushes are worn out and/or sticking and not making correct contact. When you haul it out and take it to the starter shop for testing, the brushes will sometimes loosen up and work again...for a while. And then soon after you reinstall it, they malfunction again, Hence the "it tested good at the shop" scenario that you will hear about time and again.

04-05-2008, 04:11 PM	#1
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	Power "On" - but no Crank Hey Folks. So it feels like absolutely FOREVER since I've posted - I've nosed around at times, but have just been a bit pre-occupied. It's great to see that this place is still hopping, despite the INSANE fuel prices. So, for the past week, the Chevy's been our daily driver as I dealt with "no-crank" issues on our Pathfinder. The very day I got the Pathy running, a similar problem comes up with the Chevy - now it's dead on the driveway (thank goodness it waited as long as it did). The problem... Absolutely nothing when I turn the key to the "start" position. Full power to all accessories, headlights, etc., just nothing to the starter - not even a relay click. This is the case both in Park and in Neutral. No blown fuses (at least not in the cabin panel), and battery and terminal connections are spotless. So, is there a relay somewhere I should be checking? Anything else? Thanks so much.

04-05-2008, 04:18 PM	#2
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank battery cables, dirty connections? __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

04-05-2008, 04:24 PM	#3
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank Bad starter? Give it a couple taps with a hammer or something, then try to start it... __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

04-05-2008, 04:33 PM	#5
slug Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Groves,TX Posts: 483	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank a bad fuseable link might be the culprit. check all your wires going to the starter. give them a squeeze with wour fingers. if a fuseable link is bad it will be soft. __________________ there is nothing better than cutting metal with fire.......except cutting metal with electricity!!!

04-05-2008, 04:40 PM	#6
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank Wow! thanks so much guys for all the quick replies. Unfortunately, I am sick at home to day, and do not feel up to crawling around under the truck. You've certainly given me a few directions to look, once I feel up to it. Keep 'em coming...

04-05-2008, 07:56 PM	#7
harnalien TruckincrazY Join Date: May 2004 Location: Haslet, TX Posts: 493	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank don't know if this helps, but that's exactly what happened to my '02 tahoe, and it was the starter. worked fine that morning, drove to breakfast, came out, and kaputt.

04-07-2008, 11:34 PM	#8
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank UPDATE! So I removed the starter and had it tested - worked fine. So I moved onto trying to trace an electrical problem. The main battery lead has power. The smaller lead to the solenoid, which I assue should get power when the key is turned, has none. So I trace the wire back to the fire wall where it goes into a junction box (photo). I am assuming this is the location of the fusible link??? Red Arrows - Fusible link? This wire is EXREMELY soft. feels nore like a piece of soft tubing than a wire. Yellow Arrow - junction from one wire (fusible link) to two wires. Green Arrow - This wire seems to run continuous and is very stiff. Is this also a fusible link? So is this my fusible link? Any other thoughts on how to test this stuff? Thanks. Attached Images

04-08-2008, 12:02 AM	#9
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank Sometimes either the Park/Neutral safety switch or the ignition switch on the steering column come loose and the rod doesn't actuate it. Happened on my 78.

04-15-2008, 05:20 AM	#11
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank Well, thanks again for all the suggestions here. Just thought I would update and "close" this thread... On Friday after reinstalling the starter that "tested" ok, the truck fired right up. Then I tried the key again and nothing! After rapping on the solenoid (I had tried this earlier), it fired again. So, I spent the $120 on a brand new Hitachi starter (not rebuilt), and all has been great since. In fact, the truck has never turned over as rapidly as it does now - - that's one healthy starter. So, thanks again for all the help, but it looks like the starter was the problem after all.

04-16-2008, 04:31 AM	#12
1975stepside Stepside Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 60	Re: Power "On" - but no Crank Sometimes the starter motor's brushes are worn out and/or sticking and not making correct contact. When you haul it out and take it to the starter shop for testing, the brushes will sometimes loosen up and work again...for a while. And then soon after you reinstall it, they malfunction again, Hence the "it tested good at the shop" scenario that you will hear about time and again.



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