Need Suggestions! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gipper · 05-10-2013, 07:56 PM

I have a 1968 GMC stepside with a 350 engine and automatic transmission. Every once in a while, when I go to start it, it will not start. Acts like the battery is completely dead. No clicking no nothing! I wait a half hour or so and it will start right up. Seems to do it after I have driven it a bit. Did it twice last year and when I pulled it out of storage, drove it for an hour or so it did it again! Over the winter, I replaced all the battery cables and the complete ignition system. I am baffled as to what it can be.

**TBONE1964** · 05-10-2013, 08:01 PM

Sounds like the starter solenoid may be getting hot. Have you replaced it recently? Will it start with a jump or do you have to wait for it to cool down?

Where in the heck is Fruitport?

**TBONE1964** · 05-10-2013, 08:03 PM

Oh, I found it over there on the west side.

cdowns · 05-10-2013, 08:07 PM

take two battery cables off battery clean 4 ends of battery cables clean all places where cables go conect cabels back

gipper · 05-11-2013, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

Sounds like the starter solenoid may be getting hot. Have you replaced it recently? Will it start with a jump or do you have to wait for it to cool down?

Where in the heck is Fruitport?

I have not replaced the solenoid. I have not tried to jump it but solenoids are cheap and I will replace mine. Thanks!

elf w/capital T · 05-11-2013, 07:33 AM

I had the same issue, clean all points on power and ground for starter and battery.

GOod luck

Robznob11 · 05-11-2013, 10:51 AM

as stated above ends probably need cleaned. sounds like a ground issue but could be on either side. also if it has clamp on replacement ends or any cut and spilces I would check them close. over time moister will crawl down the line and corrode the wire sometimes up to a foot inside the cable and that will cause enough voltage drop to create your situation.

big mike71 · 05-11-2013, 11:02 AM

Next time it does it move the gear shift lever a little and see if it starts. Mine does that it's the neutral safety switch.

**CC69Rat** · 05-11-2013, 11:21 AM

Does it have headers on it? Sounds like starter / solenoid heat soak to me.
Posted via Mobile Device

gipper · 05-11-2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Does it have headers on it? Sounds like starter / solenoid heat soak to me.
Posted via Mobile Device

I think you hit the nail on the head! I do have headers. Since I have all new cables, I am pretty sure that is not the issue. I have a friend in the auto salvage business and I picked up a heat shield for the solenoid. Will install that stuff tomorrow. I am hoping this will solve my issue. Thanks

jorgensensc · 05-11-2013, 12:12 PM

Sounds a lot like heat soak to me. Get a ford remote starter relay. Or if you can't stand to have a ford part on your truck you can use the one that GM on thier motorhomes. (Its the same exact thing). Done it on many a truck. Works great.
Posted via Mobile Device

**CC69Rat** · 05-11-2013, 02:52 PM

You may try a little heat wrap on that #6 header tube as well. Anything to pull some of the heat off that solenoid.
Posted via Mobile Device

05-10-2013, 07:56 PM	#1
gipper Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitport, Michigan Posts: 172	Need Suggestions! I have a 1968 GMC stepside with a 350 engine and automatic transmission. Every once in a while, when I go to start it, it will not start. Acts like the battery is completely dead. No clicking no nothing! I wait a half hour or so and it will start right up. Seems to do it after I have driven it a bit. Did it twice last year and when I pulled it out of storage, drove it for an hour or so it did it again! Over the winter, I replaced all the battery cables and the complete ignition system. I am baffled as to what it can be.

05-10-2013, 08:01 PM	#2
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: Need Suggestions! Sounds like the starter solenoid may be getting hot. Have you replaced it recently? Will it start with a jump or do you have to wait for it to cool down? Where in the heck is Fruitport?

05-10-2013, 08:03 PM	#3
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: Need Suggestions! Oh, I found it over there on the west side.

05-10-2013, 08:07 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Need Suggestions! take two battery cables off battery clean 4 ends of battery cables clean all places where cables go conect cabels back __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

05-11-2013, 10:51 AM	#7
Robznob11 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: brownfield texas (west texas) Posts: 1,936	Re: Need Suggestions! as stated above ends probably need cleaned. sounds like a ground issue but could be on either side. also if it has clamp on replacement ends or any cut and spilces I would check them close. over time moister will crawl down the line and corrode the wire sometimes up to a foot inside the cable and that will cause enough voltage drop to create your situation. __________________ The Ghost 67 short wide full custom. 550 hp LSX, 4l80E, narrowed 9". Body dropped w/air ride! ........................ ___ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(⊙)___//___/__(O)_/ @disciple2.rc 💪instagram💪 LED TAILS

05-11-2013, 07:33 AM	#6
elf w/capital T Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 993	Re: Need Suggestions! I had the same issue, clean all points on power and ground for starter and battery. GOod luck

05-11-2013, 11:02 AM	#8
big mike71 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: independence mo Posts: 2,111	Re: Need Suggestions! Next time it does it move the gear shift lever a little and see if it starts. Mine does that it's the neutral safety switch. __________________ I'm not as good as I once was, But I'm as good once as I ever was.

05-11-2013, 11:21 AM	#9
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: Need Suggestions! Does it have headers on it? Sounds like starter / solenoid heat soak to me. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

05-11-2013, 12:12 PM	#11
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Need Suggestions! Sounds a lot like heat soak to me. Get a ford remote starter relay. Or if you can't stand to have a ford part on your truck you can use the one that GM on thier motorhomes. (Its the same exact thing). Done it on many a truck. Works great. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 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

05-11-2013, 02:52 PM	#12
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: Need Suggestions! You may try a little heat wrap on that #6 header tube as well. Anything to pull some of the heat off that solenoid. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)



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