2003 Silverado won't start

[TnAndy]

35k miles on truck.....pulled it in the garage the other day, went to start it today....nothing. All electrical power seems normal......just nothing at all happens when I turn the key to start.....can hear what sounds like a couple relays or something engaging.....but no starter turn over AT ALL.

WHAT THE HECK ??

Any quick tries for a fix before I call a wrecker to have it towed OUT OF MY OWN GARAGE to a dealer ??

Already checked fuses.....all ok.

Swapped the starter relay using the relay from the back window heater (same relay).....still nothing.

Thanks !

andy

[Old Vet]

Have you tested the starter witches in the Gear shift?

[Herb]

Manual or automatic? Possible clutch safety switch or neutral safety switch. Have you tried a different key?

[mohillbilly]

Make SURE the battery terminals are TIGHT!

[agmantoo]

The battery in the vehicle is probably the original. If so, the battery is wasted. I think that the electrics seem to work but really are not OK. Turn the headlights on and let them stay on 5 minutes by the clock. If they remain bright then I am wrong.

[TnAndy]

Battery terminals good......running lights come on along with everything else when I insert the key.....just like a normal start.

Haven't checked any safety switches ( it's an auto )....or a different key. I believe it only starts in Park.....I know some models do start also in neutral......but tried it there, and no go......tried jamming the shift lever over to Park couple times thinking maybe it just wasn't making good connection....no go

It's as if the key switch has simply been cut from the starter. Gonna try a test light in the starter relay tommorrow....see if there is power on a 'connect' side, then see if the light lights when I have in the 'switch' side of the relay when I engage the key. IF there IS power on the connect side, I'm tempted to run a jumper across ( by passing what the relay does ) and just see if the starter turns over.

If NOT, I may get down on the starter motor and hook a jumper straight to it to see if it will engage or not.....and check with the test light to see if I'm getting any power TO the starter with the jumper in the relay slots.

But sure is strange a starter that has given NO indications of problems would suddenly just DIE.

THanks ya'll for the replies....keep 'em coming if you think of something else.

[TnAndy]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

The battery in the vehicle is probably the original. If so, the battery is wasted. I think that the electrics seem to work but really are not OK. Turn the headlights on and let them stay on 5 minutes by the clock. If they remain bright then I am wrong.

Not disagreeing with you....it IS the original.....but if that was the case, I'd thinnk I'd get at least SOME try of the starter to turn...some small noise, or attempt to turn over........it is just flat nothing.....like I said.....like the starter has been removed !

Is the solenoid on the starter of these trucks ?? The Ford I had before, the solenoid was up on the side of the fender wall....not on the starter.....but if I remember previous Chevey's, they put theirs on the starter, yeah ?

[Cabin Fever]

I'm a little embarrased to tell you all this, but I've dropped the starter out of my '99 Chev pickup a total of three time thinking it was bad. Once I had it out of the truck I jumped it with my jumper cables, each of the three times the starter spun just fine. Two of the times I did this, I found out that I needed a new battery (I just wouldn't belive I needed a new battery!) The third time all that was needed was tightening the battery cable at the post. I had headlights and everything else, but the starter wouldn't turn. After testing the starter, and finding that it worked fine, I put it back in and really tightened the battery cable at the post....guess what? Yeah, the truck just started fine.

Based on my experience, I believe that you'll find that your starter is just fine. It's either the battery or the cable connection. That's what I'm betting on.

[TnAndy]

Alright boys......I'll pick up a new battery in there morning.....I'm already convinced that ALL auto batteries are 3 year batteries.....some you get 1 year and some you get 5....but they are ALL designed to fall apart in 3......been thru that scene enough to know.

If nothing else, I'll have a spare sitting on the shelf ( and on a trickle charger ).


One time about a year ago, a light stayed on all day and the battery ran down to the point the it wouldn't start.....but then I got dim interior lights, and some kind of warning message ( can't remember what it said ) on the dash ticker tape deal.....even after getting a boost to start, the truck would NOT go up to full power.....about 2000rpm is all it would do......until the battery recharged enough....but no problem since then.

I know a deep discharge like that is real hard on a battery, so I'll go with that for now.

Let ya'll know tommorrow night how it works out.

[Beeman]

Have someone turn the key and try and start it while you lightly tap on the starter with a hammer or such. Usually the solenoid (which is on the starter) has bad contacts in it and jarring it slightly will make it work. If that doesn't do anything have them attempt to start it while you check for voltage at the purple (small) wire at the starter solenoid, should have voltage when key is turned to the start position.
Of course a dead battery will make none of this work. With the lights on turn the key to start and see if there is any dimming of the lights.

[TnAndy]

Turns out it was a loose wire on the starter. Got my wife to hold the key in the "start" position while I crawled under to shake the wires. It started right up.....one small one on the solenoid was loose.

[Herb]

Good deal. Glad it was something simple.

[Cabin Fever]

After my experiences, I just knew it had to be something electrical. Those GM solinoid/starters will last a lot longer than a few years. I believe that small wire should be fastened to the post with a "star-type" lock washer under the nut.