weird starter issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Garthc20 · 01-27-2011, 09:35 PM

So I wanted to change my oil today and went to fire up the truck and nada, I checked the battery and it read 12.5 volts so thats ok and it is only a month old , checked the cables and it all seemed ok . then tried to jump it with the jeep and still no luck . next I tried the old screwdriver trick and nothing, so Im thinking the starter is fried , take it out bring it to auto zone get it tested and they say Its fine WTF. bring it back ,re install , man they do get heavy after a while. clean the positive cable and crimp the cable end , do the same with the ground and cleaned the battery terminals . tried it out and nothing again. so I hooked it up to my charger on 6amp and let it sit for a couple of minutes and then she fires right up . I turned her off and started her a few more times just to see if it would repeat but it seems to work now . the only thing I can think of is I cleaned the case on the starter with break cleaner and maybe it was still wet? needless to say I still have to change my oil I guess theres alway tomorrow

Wrenchbender Ret · 01-28-2011, 05:34 PM

Sounds like you have an intermitant problem. The brushes in the motor could be worn down to were it is hitting the insulator. The selinoid may have contacts burned. These arn't to hard to rebuild yourself. Take the rear olate off & look at the brushes. You can take the back off the sel. & clean the contacts & turn the post that the cable hooks to around & use the good side.

Garthc20 · 01-28-2011, 11:31 PM

The wiring in this truck is suspect lots of extras from the cabover camper it used to have
Posted via Mobile Device

**John Fabris** · 01-28-2011, 11:42 PM

is your truck an auto trans? willing to bet you have an issue the with neutral safefy switch. If this happens again, make sure your colunm shift is all the way over to left (in park).

Garthc20 · 01-29-2011, 12:24 AM

I'll look into it. Any pointers?
Posted via Mobile Device

Wrenchbender Ret · 01-29-2011, 09:31 AM

You mentioned the "old screwdriver trick". If you did this correctly it would eliminate the possibility of the wireing or neutral switch being the problem.

01-27-2011, 09:35 PM	#1
Garthc20 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: san diego ca Posts: 167	weird starter issues So I wanted to change my oil today and went to fire up the truck and nada, I checked the battery and it read 12.5 volts so thats ok and it is only a month old , checked the cables and it all seemed ok . then tried to jump it with the jeep and still no luck . next I tried the old screwdriver trick and nothing, so Im thinking the starter is fried , take it out bring it to auto zone get it tested and they say Its fine WTF. bring it back ,re install , man they do get heavy after a while. clean the positive cable and crimp the cable end , do the same with the ground and cleaned the battery terminals . tried it out and nothing again. so I hooked it up to my charger on 6amp and let it sit for a couple of minutes and then she fires right up . I turned her off and started her a few more times just to see if it would repeat but it seems to work now . the only thing I can think of is I cleaned the case on the starter with break cleaner and maybe it was still wet? needless to say I still have to change my oil I guess theres alway tomorrow __________________ 1970 Custom camper 20 lwb 1978 yamaha xs1100 (insert clever quote here)

01-28-2011, 05:34 PM	#2
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,208	Re: weird starter issues Sounds like you have an intermitant problem. The brushes in the motor could be worn down to were it is hitting the insulator. The selinoid may have contacts burned. These arn't to hard to rebuild yourself. Take the rear olate off & look at the brushes. You can take the back off the sel. & clean the contacts & turn the post that the cable hooks to around & use the good side.

01-28-2011, 11:31 PM	#3
Garthc20 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: san diego ca Posts: 167	Re: weird starter issues The wiring in this truck is suspect lots of extras from the cabover camper it used to have Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1970 Custom camper 20 lwb 1978 yamaha xs1100 (insert clever quote here)

01-28-2011, 11:42 PM	#4
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: weird starter issues is your truck an auto trans? willing to bet you have an issue the with neutral safefy switch. If this happens again, make sure your colunm shift is all the way over to left (in park). __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

01-29-2011, 12:24 AM	#5
Garthc20 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: san diego ca Posts: 167	Re: weird starter issues I'll look into it. Any pointers? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1970 Custom camper 20 lwb 1978 yamaha xs1100 (insert clever quote here)

01-29-2011, 09:31 AM	#6
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,208	Re: weird starter issues You mentioned the "old screwdriver trick". If you did this correctly it would eliminate the possibility of the wireing or neutral switch being the problem.



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