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Did you check for power going to the starter. could be a connection on that side of things. should be able to pull starter and jump batt to it to see if gear pops out and spins.
The problem could be a shorted park netual safety switch . Do you know what a wiring diagram is ? It shows all the componets involved in a electrical circuit ! You IGN.1 fuse 40amp , GM calls it IGN A fuse 40 amp . It feeds the ignition switch and pin 30 at the starter enable relay .When you turn the key to the start position it sends B+ voltage to #8 crank fuse , located in the I/P fuse box ,from there it goes to the park netual safety switch , to pin 86 or 85 of the starter enable relay ! If you pull the relay out of the fuse box an look on the bottom you will see this four set's of numbers ,30,87 & 85 ,86 You can test at the fuse box where the relay plugs in . Here is a video on how to test . The guy presenting the video uses a horn circuit , but it works the same way . It happens a lot , the park netual safety switch shorting out . It may or may not be the problem . VEHICLE RELAYS Operation Diagnosis
Here is a web site for free wiring diagrams http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html Enter your vehicle info . then under system click on engine , then under subsystem click on starting . Then click on the search button an a link will pop up , click on it .You will see all the componets , connections , wiring colors etc... for the starter circuit for your vehicle .
Hi Debbie , Do you know anything about automotive electrical systems an testing ? Viewing wiring diagrams to see what all is involved in the starting system on your vehicle would be the first step ,then testing the electrical circuits for the starter using a DVOM - digital volt ohm meter . How to voltage drop test starter motor circuit Starter Voltage Drop
Free wiring diagrams here http://www.bbbind.com/free-tsb Enter vehicle info. Year ,make , model an engine . Under system click engine ,then under subsystem click on starting . Click the search button then the blue link. Looking at the diagram I see when the key is turned to start it send a crank signal to the PCM - engine computer , if the PCM gets a valid fuel enable & starter enable signal from the anti-theft system it will energize the crank relay sending B+ voltage to the S terminal on the starter solenoid . That is if the park neutral safety switch is OK . You mite try putting the vehicle in neutral to see if it starts then. These switch wear on the inside that could cause a no start problem . You can test from the crank relay ,watch this video VEHICLE RELAYS Operation Diagnosis In the video he uses a horn circuit , your crank relay works the same .
one easy way is to have someone hold key in crank ing position,then another person needs to hit or tap the starer housing itself.if engine begins to crank intermittently or ur cliking noise turns into small jolts of the starter trying to crank then u can bet its the strtr motor. u do need a charged batt for this test. also chek ur battery grounds they can dramatically affect starter operation if we have a voltage drop anywhere in starter circuit .chek batt cables r tight on batt posts, loose batt cables on battery will also give u clicking noise w no starter operation
Ok, if the cranking amps is like 70AMPs or 100 AMPS as measured by an inductive ammeter on the battery cable when starting, and it does NOT start, then it's a bad starter.
However, if it does start, that's normal.
On a car that old, I would check that the battery cable ends are squeaky clean, wire brushed, or even replaced if cleaning is not possible.
Usually, a battery that is tested good will be good under a load test.
Also, try to use an ammeter to find out if there is a drain on the battery above .2 A while it sits there turned off. This could lead to a solution if you investigate where a short may be.
Most likely it's either your selenoid or your starter. But before you buy one, have someone turn the key tro crank position while you tap the selenoid with the hammer. If it starts, you have a bad starter.
Ok does the engine turn (easely) when you start it up, if yes, then you got you're self a "crank but won't start" condition. That is a little more complicated but if it simply won't turn when you start then you got a "no crank" condition witch is preaty simple.
First be absolutely sure that you're battery is good, try an other battery on it, one that you know is good. If it starts, change you're battery. I've often seen batterys that charge but go completely dead a soon as you take the charger off of them.
Second, verify the wiring, simply inspect the cable that goes directly to the starter for a cut or damage, also don't forget to check out the engine to body ground, witch usualy corodes and cuts (it's located near the crankshaft balancer and goes directly to the boby) Repair if neaded. Also verify that you're starter relay clicks when you start. If it does not clic, then you got a burned out fuse (fuse #6 in underhood fuse block), a faulty circuit or a faulty relay (underhood fuse block)(can try an other similar relay to verify). You can also try to bypass the starter circuit by simply using a screwdriver to jump the current from the positive pole (big red wire) to the "s" pole (small purple wire) of the starter. Use caution cause sparks will fly and engine may start. If the engine starts, then you know for sure the trouble is in the control circuit.
Third, verify that you hear the starter solenoid clic when you start. Have one of you're buddys start the truck and listen for a loud and clear clic (It is realy loud) If it does not clic at all or is not loud, and all the wiring and relay is ok, then the starter may be the cause (usualy only the solenoid gives away, witch can be changed seperatly)
Good luck, hope this will help
Slant6Nova
Check fusable links in your battery cable and starter wires. Do you have power at the starter where the positive cable attaches? Your battery is good? Do you have any power anywhere else?
First thing I would check is to see if you have power at the trigger wire of the starter motor while someone is trying to start the vehicle for you. It will be a Yellow with a light blue trace. If you do then I would check to see if the main battery cable has power to it all the time when someone is trying to crank it. If it does then I would hold a test light on the case of the starter motor and have someone try to crank it. Make sure that the ground you use for this test is on the negative battery terminal not just anywhere on the car. If the test light lights while you are cranking it then you have a bad ground. Hook up a set of jumper cables from the battery negative terminal and clamp it directly on to your starter motor and see if it starts. If you check it and the test light doesn't light up and all the other checks are good then your starter motor has failed. If one of the other tests has failed then you have a starter relay problem or something else. let me know what you find out.
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