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jeff t
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Dec 1, 2014, 6:00 PM
Post #1 of 21
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Thanks in advance for your help. 2005, 4.3 liter, standard cab, standard trans., 2wd, Silverado, 160000 miles. Son-in-law borrowed my truck to get a Christmas tree. He backed into his garage to unload and when he got back into the truck to pull out the truck was dead. No crank, no start. The dash lights come on, the radio works as does the hvac controls but nothing to the starter. Checked all fuses and all are good. Checked battery and is good. Thought it maybe the standard chevy security but don't know how to reset. Cables to starter good and good connections. This truck is riddled with electrical problems to numerous to mention, i.e. dash lights, intermittent heater controls, and so on. Any advice would be well received before calling a tow truck. Always started until now.
(This post was edited by jeff t on Dec 1, 2014, 6:06 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 1, 2014, 6:39 PM
Post #2 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Do you have a volt meter?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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jeff t
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Dec 1, 2014, 7:02 PM
Post #3 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Yes, I have a volt meter.
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Discretesignals
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Dec 1, 2014, 7:13 PM
Post #4 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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What is the voltage at the battery posts while attempting to crank the engine?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 1, 2014, 7:13 PM)
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jeff t
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Dec 1, 2014, 7:29 PM
Post #5 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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I will have to get back to you on that. The truck is 10 miles away from my home right now but I will check after work tomorrow. I would think a dead short would drop the voltage significantly. If that's the case I will find it. I'll get back to you. Anything else I can check while I'm there?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 1, 2014, 7:35 PM
Post #6 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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If battery voltage stays above 10 volts while attempting to crank the engine, check to see if the starter relay clicks when you turn the ignition to start and depress the clutch pedal.
Starter relay is in the underhood fuse box.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 1, 2014, 7:36 PM)
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jeff t
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Dec 1, 2014, 7:38 PM
Post #7 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Will do, thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
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Dec 2, 2014, 1:41 AM
Post #8 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Sound silly but is the truck fully in Park or Neutral? It wouldn't crank or start if not. If it is then proceed with tests why it doesn't crank and if no noise at all from trying you need to find where it cuts out,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:37 AM
Post #10 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Missed that - sorry. Is clutch pedal to floor then? Just the thought of nothing really wrong is haunting me on this one................. T
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jeff t
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Dec 2, 2014, 4:44 PM
Post #11 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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12.45 vdc at battery before test. 12.4 vdc when the key is turned to the start position. No dash lights dim or anything. The relay does engage by a clicking sound. I am not an expert by any means but the clutch switch and the ignition relay seam to be working.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:00 PM
Post #12 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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See if I can mess you up again
No dimming and really no voltage drop plus no action/noise from solenoid. Now time to see if trigger wire @ solenoid get power when key is turned to start.
If so and doesn't react you can give the thing a "love tap" with a hammer and see if you can get it going and don't shut if off till you can get it where you'd like to play some more but would expect a starter motor replacement would be called for and kinda expecting that now as it will come with a new solenoid.
Note: You can get at these better off vehicle and even use a set of jumper cables to one to see it work jumping to trigger terminal. If you get to that do watch as the suckers jump around doing that.
Arggh! Not sure what you may be up for but can off vehicle much better jump bypassing solenoid and if just the solenoid can do just that or get a reputable reman if, if , if you can declare it the starter or solenoid by then. DO GREASE up the connections leaving them all clean with grease as they can corrode up and not even let you undo wires without snapping off studs then you are committed to doing something!
T
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jeff t
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:09 PM
Post #13 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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I will see if voltage is present at starter when key is turned. If not it is before starter if so it is starter, correct?
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Tom Greenleaf
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:18 PM
Post #14 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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It will be tight and careful probing right at it not to ground out power to metal but yes do check for power both constant at large cable from battery then smaller should light a test light when key turned to start. If so problem is right there and if NOTHING then the hunt is on where it isn't sending power to trigger it.
Can't know if antitheft anything would be interrupting that or more likely a switch at clutch pedal or ignition switch isn't sending along the power to begin with IMO less likely then something else but see what you find first before beating up on the maybe things.
Good to test your test light or device on a known first (main battery cable at solenoid) so that doesn't confuse a diagnosis,
T
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jeff t
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:36 PM
Post #15 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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I am an electrician for 30 years. Mostly AC but Some DC. I really do appreciate your advice. I will be careful of not shorting the system or myself. I do have meter leads that are insulated and capable of grasping a screw. I have repaired so many shotty connections on this truck. I will check voltage at the starter both from + to- and also + to a known good ground ( the negative battery terminal) to eliminate a bad ground. Will also check continuity from starter ground to the battery. Is this a good strategy?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:51 PM
Post #16 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Sounds good. Your starter is grounded by the negative cable of battery should go directly to engine block so it's all ground. No harm in checking grounding issues but know that starter take the huge load not the other anythings in a vehicle so has the large gauge wire.
Block must be good ground. Body is grounded either right from battery to body metal or from engine metal to body and all around the vehicle for assorted reasons. If anything electrical works and doesn't just go out when attempting to crank it should at least be making a noise or show some power as mentioned to trigger wire.
DC vs AC. Think for this as DC is water thru a pipe. Larger diameter carries more water hence power. Volts is pressure and amps is volume kinda.
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OK, since you are an electrician I have a question for you! Why in the ever loving "F" when you go to plug any damn thing in an outlet is the larger prong on the WRONG side every time and you have to turn it? Wouldn't that be 50/50 odds? Oh, no - every time it's wrong so tell me why? Just kidding,
Tom
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 2, 2014, 6:11 PM
Post #17 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Like Tom mentioned sometimes starter brushes that are worn out or solenoid contact plate that is arced out will cause no activity. Tapping on the starter sometimes will get it to do something. You don't want to beat the heck out of it because the stator magnets are glued to the motor housing and can easily crack or break off whapping on it.
You should see battery voltage on both the lead battery terminal lug and the solenoid trigger wire terminal with the ignition in the start position. The body of the starter motor to battery negative should be less than 0.5 volts with circuit live. If all that is good, needs a starter. Be sure that you have the parking brake on, wheels chocked, and transmission in neutral if your getting under there to test things.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 2, 2014, 6:23 PM)
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jeff t
User
Dec 2, 2014, 8:01 PM
Post #18 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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I will be careful. What can go wrong with the wife at the wheel! That big prong is usually only backwards during low light periods. It is always the right way during the daytime so only plug things in during the day.
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jeff t
User
Dec 4, 2014, 3:53 PM
Post #19 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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Sorry for not posting for a few days. The truck is still a work in progress. Forgot my fancy meter leads at work. I think I can reach the starter through the inner fender with my clamp on testing leads otherwise I'll have to jack up the truck to reach the starter. At least the truck is stuck in my daughters driveway, I put up with her stuff for 22 years it will just be a little payback.( she is a great daughter) I'll test it on Friday night after work.
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jeff t
User
Dec 7, 2014, 1:13 PM
Post #20 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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O.K.. Put my floor jack in the back of my car and went to the son-in -laws house to finally fix this thing. Could not get to the trigger wire on the starter. Disconnected the positive battery cable. Removed the positive cable from the starter. Removed the starter. Removed the trigger wire from the starter. Reconnected the positive battery cable. I then tested the trigger wire with my volt meter and found I had 12 volts when I turned the key to the start position. This told me it was definitely the starter. Went to every parts house in the small town I live near ( Reilly's, Fleet Farm, Napa, and as a last resort Auto Zone ) where I finally found the right starter. Installed starter and the truck fired right up. Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this site. The cost of the rebuilt starter was $162. Changed it myself and I figure it saved me about $300. $80 to$100 for towing, $200 for parts, and $150 for labor. I'm not a mechanic but my basic understanding of an electrical circuit and a few tools came in handy. I am still having problems with this flux capacitor thing on my time machine so I will ask for help when I know more details.
(This post was edited by jeff t on Dec 7, 2014, 1:18 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 7, 2014, 1:19 PM
Post #21 of 21
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Re: Dead Silverado
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That's OK. Tom is certified in time travel.
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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.
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