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chevy truck not starting, just 1 click


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ole97red
New User

Nov 9, 2011, 1:28 PM

Post #1 of 5 (5327 views)
post icon chevy truck not starting, just 1 click Sign In

1997 Chevy 1500 4wd 5.7 V8 with 110,000 automatic gear

I bought a car and truck sat for about a month. I went to start it and I had to jump it because the battery was low. After I drove it around the votage still didn't go up, so I bought a new battery after testing old one and it was bad. I continued to drive it around for two weeks, then sat for a week. I went to start it, and it didn't tun over right away. It took a few clicks of the key, but fired up. I went to start it again the other day and nothing, just a click. I figured starter, so I dropped it tested it and autozone said it passed. I went home cleaned all the contacts, and tried it again, nothing but a click. I dropped it again, and used a volt meter and we were getting 12 volts all the way down to the starter wires. I figured the starter solenoid was bad, so I replaced that with a started all in one today, and nothing but a click. The first click is loudest, and then if I try to turn key again still 1 click but softer. The new one sat out and didn't seat right up against the flywheel housing, so I tried shims, still no change. The battery terminal wires are good, and I don't know what else to try. Any suggestions/tips????


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 9, 2011, 1:36 PM

Post #2 of 5 (5318 views)
Re: chevy truck not starting, just 1 click Sign In

Does this single click reset clock and radio? Battery cable connections may be fine at battery but not at other ends. GM famous for the side post rotted away and you think it's good but not if you peel back rubber at battery ends you may find they aren't so good,

T



ole97red
New User

Nov 9, 2011, 1:45 PM

Post #3 of 5 (5310 views)
Re: chevy truck not starting, just 1 click Sign In

Just checked, the clock stays at the current time, it does not reset, also if the battery cables were bad, I wouldn't get 12 volts all the way to the starter, right?


(This post was edited by ole97red on Nov 9, 2011, 1:48 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 9, 2011, 3:05 PM

Post #4 of 5 (5290 views)
Re: chevy truck not starting, just 1 click Sign In

Does the starter stay at 12v when it clicks? It may get some correct voltage but not the amps. Example, you can take two household 9v batteries in series and get 18v but they won't start your car type of thing.

You may have said - will it take a boost right to the starter and engine block? Gotta be careful doing that. GM battery bolts would only feed the battery not the power to the solenoid which both throws the starter drive to flywheel gear AND empowers the starter itself.

If engine ground isn't making back to battery the weak link wins/fails as it must make the complete loop.

Cables can fray inside unseen too. You might feel a soft spot (engine cool/cold) along them from some sort of trauma or who knows? They use as little copper and lead as possible in vehicles for quite a while now which were more dependable metals,

T



samg.
User
samg. profile image

Nov 9, 2011, 6:39 PM

Post #5 of 5 (5278 views)
Re: chevy truck not starting, just 1 click Sign In

Agreed, you may have 12v at the starter, but it maybe 1 strand of wire with 12v. Have you tried a voltage drop test on it?






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