LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

starter problem

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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 05:10 PM
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my car usually starts fine but every once in a while when i go to start it will click but wont crank and then after i wait 10 or 15 minutes it will start. any ideas what is causing that.
thanks
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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 06:36 PM
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Is it when it is hot? Do you have headers? It could be your starter solenoid.
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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 06:39 PM
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could be a solinoid or it could just be a random dead spot. when it doesent start trying giving the starter a whack. if it starts after then its deff the starter.
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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 11:04 PM
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its usually when its cold and it is stock no headers
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 12:09 PM
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I have the same problem sometimes. I thought it was the solenoid, replaced it, same problem. It didn't happen to me hardly at all in TX this summer where it was dry, but where I am now it's been raining a lot (ND). I don't think it's the solenoid at all because I've gone down that road. I found that if you keep trying it like multiple turns of the key when it doesn't want to turn over, after x number of times it usually starts fine. Sometimes it's just 1 time, others it's like 10. I have absolutely no explanation for this.

I took apart the starter last winter to see if it was worn out and to clean it up because I believed it was because of all the dirt and oil that had gotten on it, but the internals all looked to be in great shape so I just cleaned it up and still have the same problem.
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 12:54 PM
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its most likely your starter soliniod.. get your starter rebuilt or go buy a new one
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Old Nov 3, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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wow. this happened to me Halloween night then again this morning. Your post is contagious!

When it happened to me all my dash light come on and when I attempt to crank, I hear a click but the starter doesn't come on.

On Friday I put it in Neutral, then back to park, and I thought that's what it was, but this morning it wouldn't start in N or P.

All of the sudden it started without a problem.

Next time it happens, I want to check it against this schematic to see if its the BCM, neutral safety switch, start solenoid or something else.

Attached Thumbnails starter problem-startercontrols.jpg  
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Old Nov 4, 2008 | 04:40 PM
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It hasn't happened to me again since Monday morning.

How often does it happen to your car?

This does resemble starter heat soak, but this happened on my stock 2002 SS, which doesn't have headers.
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Old Nov 4, 2008 | 08:51 PM
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In my situation I don't have a BCM because it's a swap vehicle. Still no idea what it could be, I just deal with it for now.
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 11:38 PM
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at least twice a week it happend today again
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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 12:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Chrisd000111
at least twice a week it happend today again
man have your starter rebuilt or just buy a new one....i can get you one pretty cheap and better than autozone stuff....brand new too...its like 75 bucks or something like that i think....i could be off a little bit
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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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How long does it happen for when it does happen to you? Mine hasnt happened again since last week.

Do you have access to a volt/ohm meter?
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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 11:31 AM
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Sounds like the Solenoid is going out. Mine was doing that to me for a while till I replaced it.
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 10:39 AM
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i have a volt ohm meter
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Old Jan 2, 2009 | 05:37 PM
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Did you ever figure out your problem? Mine has started to do it more often. Always on really cold days. I'm leaning towards the battery.

I notice mine will show a really low battery level on the gauge when it happens.
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Old Jan 5, 2009 | 12:30 PM
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Just to update you, my problem ended up being the battery.

Voltage was showing fine with the engine off (12.8 volts) and 14 when charging. But I guess it couldnt deal with the load of starting the engine. Problem went away with a new battery.
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