72 GMC Sierra Grande starting probs..help? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

philintexas · 07-02-2003, 09:13 PM

Posting for my father...he has a 1972 Sierra Grande pickup with a 400 big block bored to 402. Beautiful engine!

At any rate, the truck has a starting problem that dad cannot figure out. After driving the truck for a while (15 mins or more), when you stop, the truck will not start again. What it does:

<> Put key in ingition and turn and nothing. Starter does not engage.

<> Power IS working. When key turned to first position, everything goes "hot"...fans turn on, etc.

<> Switch is brand new. Wiring is all new. We thought it was a ground and replaced everything.

It just appears that when the engine get's hot, something disengages and the starter is not powered. When it cools down everything takes off like normal.

Dad's at wits end on what's causing this. Could it be the starter? He had it checked out at the local mechanic and it was recently rebuilt and the mechanic said it's good to go. Any other little thing in here that could be causing it?

Thanks so much for any help!!

Eddie H. · 07-02-2003, 10:12 PM

It sounds like the old starter solenoid overheating problem.
Try making a heat shield out of aluminum, stainless, etc and putting it on the starter to protect it from exhaust manifold heat.
I think some of the aftermarket catalogs like Summit and Jegs also sell ready made heat shields.

** Where in Texas are you located? Maybe if you're tired of messing with it, and want to just get rid of that old truck, you can let me have it.

jhow66 · 07-02-2003, 10:37 PM

Better still get a remote soleniod . MAD makes a kit for this-can be purchased at your local speed shop.

Hutch · 07-02-2003, 11:09 PM

philintexas
Eddie H. is correct in his diagnosis.

I do believe you dads truck starter is suffering from a common problem know as heat soak.
This occurs even more when you have installed aftermarket exhaust items such as headers.

This auction will give you an idea of what you are looking for.
Ebay Auction

Tell your dad that after he gets the starter issue fixed to come back to the board and join in and share some big block chevy wisdom.

Have fun

07-02-2003, 09:13 PM	#1
philintexas Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1	72 GMC Sierra Grande starting probs..help? Posting for my father...he has a 1972 Sierra Grande pickup with a 400 big block bored to 402. Beautiful engine! At any rate, the truck has a starting problem that dad cannot figure out. After driving the truck for a while (15 mins or more), when you stop, the truck will not start again. What it does: <> Put key in ingition and turn and nothing. Starter does not engage. <> Power IS working. When key turned to first position, everything goes "hot"...fans turn on, etc. <> Switch is brand new. Wiring is all new. We thought it was a ground and replaced everything. It just appears that when the engine get's hot, something disengages and the starter is not powered. When it cools down everything takes off like normal. Dad's at wits end on what's causing this. Could it be the starter? He had it checked out at the local mechanic and it was recently rebuilt and the mechanic said it's good to go. Any other little thing in here that could be causing it? Thanks so much for any help!!

07-02-2003, 10:12 PM	#2
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	It sounds like the old starter solenoid overheating problem. Try making a heat shield out of aluminum, stainless, etc and putting it on the starter to protect it from exhaust manifold heat. I think some of the aftermarket catalogs like Summit and Jegs also sell ready made heat shields. ** Where in Texas are you located? Maybe if you're tired of messing with it, and want to just get rid of that old truck, you can let me have it. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution" Last edited by Eddie H.; 07-02-2003 at 10:16 PM.

07-02-2003, 10:37 PM	#3
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Better still get a remote soleniod . MAD makes a kit for this-can be purchased at your local speed shop. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

07-02-2003, 11:09 PM	#4
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	philintexas Eddie H. is correct in his diagnosis. I do believe you dads truck starter is suffering from a common problem know as heat soak. This occurs even more when you have installed aftermarket exhaust items such as headers. This auction will give you an idea of what you are looking for. Ebay Auction Tell your dad that after he gets the starter issue fixed to come back to the board and join in and share some big block chevy wisdom. Have fun __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS



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