I have a 97 Tahoe that will not crank over. I have checked all connections to starter and had starter tested, as well as getting a new battery. All other things power up and work fine. This started a long time ago, but was just intermittent, then it got to where if I got it started, I wouldn't shut it off at all until I got where I was going because it wouldn't start back up if it was "warmed up". I replaced the Crank position sensor thinking that may help, but nothing. It will crank sometimes if the weather is wet and rainy...

Hi,

A bad starter, alternator or battery could stop your car from starting. So you would need to systematically test and (potentially) replace each of these parts to move forward.

Thank you.

Does starter click? Try turning on headlamps and get someone to watch as you try to start car. If headlamps dim, likely bad starter or battery cable(s). If they don't dim, bad solenoid, starter switch, neutral safety switch. Try starting in neutral and jiggle shifter while trying. If it starts, replace neutral safety switch.

can you jump power to the solenoid to verify its operation?

I will try to help, powell. Your start circuit from battery to ignition switch to starter-and back to battery. You may need to check every thing here, including the grounds, for a loose connection, or just possibly a failing part.
If only complaint is intermittent starter action, and no other problems with ignition switch, let's assume switch is good, so battery to ignition switch is good. Now from the switch, a yellow start wire goes to the instrument panel fuse block, to "crank" fuse #8 (10 amp), from there a purple wire goes to the safety switch. If manual it is a clutch pedal position switch (simple on/off switch-when clutch down switch is on). If automatic, purple wire goes to Transmission Range Switch on the transm.-in park or neutral the purple wire has continuity in and out of switch.
From that switch, the purple wire goes to the starter relay (under hood fuse-relay center). Now the relay: purple wire in start will energize the relay- wire goes to coil side of relay, and then coil side goes to ground. On relay power side, the power feed is a red wire-and it is the same red wire that initially sends power to the ignition switch. A 40 amp fuse in fuse-relay center sends power to ignition switch, and a splice goes to the starter relay as the power feed for relay. When relay is energized, contacts close, and power is sent from relay to the starter solenoid, again on a purple wire. When solenoid contacts close, starter motor is connected to the big battery cable on the starter.

There is your start circuit. try a new or different relay, try a new or test the clutch switch (or transm. range switch). Buy a $5 test light and use it to check where power is lost when starter won't operate. Hold key in start and check if fuse #8 is getting power. Check the safety switch, with key held in start, the purple wire should be hot. Check if relay has a power feed (pull relay out and check terminals) and if relay coil has a power signal in start. Check the relay's coil side ground. If that ground is intermittent, relay won't work.
When it won't start, use a test light, you should be able to find it.
Good luck.

sounds like the starter or starter solonid is bad ,if you have an amp meter test the starter or remove the starter and take it to your auto parts store and have it tested .most will test it free.also check all cables and terminals coming off of battery for good connections. If cables are corodded replace them, If engine is running rough check timeing of engine, timeing chain or belt may have jumped time

Check the battery cables, both positive and negative. Not just on the battery end, but at the starter, and the engine block. The cable could have a bad spot along its length that may or may not be visible. The best troubleshooting step is to replace them.

#1disconnect battery #2disconnect wires from solenoid #remove bolts that go through bottom of starter in to engine block lower starter place on bench disconnect power cable between starter and solenoid then two bolts that hold solenoid to starter replace in reverse if it is the original starter from 97 i would replace with new only common hand tools needed some people unbolt starter first rotate for easier access to electric connections but starter is very heavy if you drop it it could **** wires off

Check all your grounds and make sure all starter wires are tight and clean..

Check and load test battery. If good, use a volt meter across both terminals.. when.cranking, volts should not drop below 9.5. If it does, replace starter. No valid starter test can be done unless battery has been proven to be good.

not sure of language description ,hard too start or a slow turn over of engine if its slow cranking then drop test battery and a load test on starter motor