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starting issue 1993 gmc safarri


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david1950
User

May 13, 2010, 9:11 AM

Post #1 of 7 (1428 views)
starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

I have a 93 GMC Safari 4.3 W motor. When i try to start it the starter turns real slow,then it speeds up and starts. Sometimes it turns slow and does not start. New battery,Alt. and rebuilt starter. Checked voltage at starter (10 + VOLTS) when it spins properly. Had starter tested it was strong.Boosting does not help much if any. Its gotten worse over time and will not start at all at this point. Anyone got an idea whats making this happen ive got a good amount of knowledge about this van but i cant figure it out please help.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

May 13, 2010, 9:27 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1422 views)
Re: starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

I think the problem may lie with the cables. Sometimes beneath a good looking insulation is a corroded up cable or poor connections at ends. Try putting jumper cables from a battery to the starter and see how well it cranks over then. If it goes at proper speed when you do that, get new cables and put dielectric grease on the connections when installing them to help stop corrosion later. You say new starter, alt, etc. I would ask how new is this? Does this mean you just put these on or they have at some point in time been replaced?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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May 13, 2010, 10:12 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1420 views)
Re: starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

I'm with Nick on the cables. They just didn't use heavy duty copper, fine stranded, thick gauge copper or mixed in with lesser stuff to save even that long ago.

You can test out with REAL GOOD jumper cables in essence doubling up the wire amount to starter and to engine block for ground - one at a time might tell which is the culprit right now.

Note: Slow starter if cables are at fault is hard on the starter. You would think opposite but it makes it heat up in the struggle!

If one is lousy and not just corroded (GM side post type are a trouble spot and you need to pull back rubber/plastic to really see) anywhere go for high quality whole new cables. My bet is NAPA would have that request and ask for copper if available. Dang copper got expensive and not sure what year many cars began using crumby stuff but close to then,

T



david1950
User

May 13, 2010, 10:36 AM

Post #4 of 7 (1416 views)
Re: starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

Thanks for your input. Where is the engine ground located? I know the path from pos. to starter. Which other wires do I need to check?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 13, 2010, 11:30 AM

Post #5 of 7 (1407 views)
Re: starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

For a test any known good, solid engine metal will do. Ground MAY (not certain) go to driver's side onto engine block near a motor mount. Could go elsewhere and you should be able to chase that one too. What you really need is a good contact with the lower engine block if possible but it may use something higher - even a bracket to an accessory,

T



david1950
User

May 13, 2010, 2:28 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1396 views)
Re: starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

We tried the test no change so cables are ok far as i can tell what else could it be im at a loss.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 13, 2010, 6:52 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1382 views)
Re: starting issue 1993 gmc safarri Sign In

OK: I'm interested in voltage drop at battery when starter is trying - at the posts, then at the cable right there, and again at the starter.

New or not, battery may not consistently deliver, starter may not have the power intermittently or is consuming way too many amps. Tricky to follow. It engine too tight as in overheated engines can be or the electrics just not up to par?

It needs to stay down to find where the flow is a trouble spot,

T







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