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89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start


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Jsavage
New User

May 27, 2016, 10:37 PM

Post #1 of 9 (1793 views)
89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

Replaced starter and battery, gauge shows 9 volts and only get a clicking solenoid. Battery vents smoke while trying to crank. Alternator checks out too. What could be drawing so much away from the starter?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 28, 2016, 3:23 AM

Post #2 of 9 (1783 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

1. Is engine too tight or in trouble to turn free?
2. Where are you checking for this 9V which isn't enough and does show a problem?
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Problem areas with a new battery now is that is wasn't charged before putting it in - they are NOT charged new - just filled which is perhaps 2/3rd of a full charge. Any aggravation rule that out first.
Then - way too common are the GM side posts! Eyelet may look good but not be inside any plastic or rubber left at battery ends. Know that the bolt goes right to the battery such that you really are only reading the battery NOT what it is sending on to everything else thru the cables. Rule all that out first plus turn engine by crank bolt, some even tugging on a belt or something that it isn't locked up too tight - rule that OUT,


T



Jsavage
New User

May 28, 2016, 7:42 AM

Post #3 of 9 (1776 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

Ill give it a shot, thank you. Battery charged and reads 13v. Ill check it at the starter and terminal block too.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 28, 2016, 10:08 AM

Post #4 of 9 (1772 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

With only volts known you do NOT know the state of charge - try to understand just the rawest basics. You can buy a 12v battery for non auto use that would never start a vehicle but not the case. When AMPS are correct with full charge of a proper battery for a vehicle it shouldn't drop under load which could be different at GM battery posts especially and the cable eyelet or other end of the cable means it drops out like stepping on a garden hose type thing.


Starter is a huge draw normally but if engine is tight or worse seized no battery is going to overcome that and volts would read low when attempted with just one hard click from the starter. Fluttering solenoid is also a clue not enough power available for the load of a starter for any reason.


9V if real most warning systems of a vehicle would read a "warning" of some sort - varies by vehicle and set up. You should have a gauge and if not running not sure if gauges are enable for crank time anyway so not of any use.


IDK - didn't look back at what engine if you said. Almost any available the ground battery cable goes to engine block on driver's side and must be known good too. Follow cable is really all you need to do. Know that all ground to anything electrical must come back to battery equally most or all thru that cable almost always ignored even this old. Just off the wall, I spray grease on the connection if there or see them while good and they stay good as long as long as this most of the time.


Finding now harder to get exact cables or once better than OE by a lot. IDK - just too many sizes and many unique ends so seems more and more just get good quality cable splice ends now older and some not so old too.


If you find different volts at cable end away from battery when load of starter is real you do have a problem "delivering" full amps of battery.


Find out just charge of battery which you really can't tell so well unless you both trust that one and charge it yourself till long enough for the charger used. More to know - chargers can say or show "GREEN" indicator that it's all wonderful doesn't mean battery has any power just it reached it's capacity volt wise but power (AMPS) of it unknown and that goes for NEW or not!


T



Jsavage
New User

Aug 8, 2016, 9:40 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1706 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

Sorry I've been away so long. I've installed a brand new fully charged battery, New cables, New starter and still just clicks. Truck runs fine and starts right up when I roll and pop the clutch. Alternator is charging at 14v. I'm convinced I have a problem in the ignition circuit, but don't know where to go next.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 8, 2016, 11:58 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1703 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

OK - Didn't fully re-read but with that and still clicking by key the starter is suspect. You can still see this with voltage drop at the starter better but if all new stuff at the battery should do.


By 9V if see WHILE cranking requested that is about the line it wont stay engaged but click or just get hot and may have already.


New stuff doesn't always mean rule it out unfortunately. You need a fast reading of voltage drops while it does this.


You said ALL cables new. All matter and only as good as the weakest connection. Don't forget the ground cable to engine block. Many new or OE ground cables have a wire to go directly to body metal as well right away then again thru vehicles.
Check as much as you can - I think starter is drawing too much.


You can try applying 12V by jumper wire directly to trigger wire at starter and it should crank right up. WATCH OUT AND DO NOT HAVE IT IN GEAR IF DOING THAT AS IT WOULD TAKE OFF!
If testing shows more draw than it should do you want to continue with this starter and take it apart for a fix/look at least or perhaps get it tested which I don't trust all that much?


You can clean up brushes and service a starter yourself at the risk of messing it up in the course of learning. It's still a core to exchange if it fails or gets worse or works. Can discuss how if you wish not say that now.


IMO, the best test for starter is having it on your engine not some other machine. It could work on the ground or bench vise but not on the engine.


Know that a high % of rebuilt starters will not be right when installed as they might have had a similar problem before not caught in being rebuilt and sold again looking pretty!


Decide what you want to do and we can go from there,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 9, 2016, 3:11 AM

Post #7 of 9 (1701 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

Have you determined exactly where that clicking is coming from?



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 9, 2016, 3:23 AM

Post #8 of 9 (1698 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

Good point! If this is NOT just a solenoid flutter this problem moves elsewhere to the problem,


T



koontzy
User

Aug 9, 2016, 8:49 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1685 views)
Re: 89 gmc k1500 showing 9volts, no start Sign In

keep in mind that just because the part is new does not mean its good but i would also check the exciter wire for places that may have rubbed or been burnt and may be grounding






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