Chevy Truck Ignition Problem

[DancesWithKnives]

Everyone was so helpful in solving my 4WD actuator problem that I thought I'd throw another question out there and seek your collective wisdom.

I have a 1993 Chevy K2500 extended cab, short bed pickup with the 350 and auto tranny. It has a brand new primary starting battery and a good second battery on the factory dual battery setup. The alternator was replaced at about 70,000 miles and the truck presently has around 125,000 on it.

I recently drove the truck for several hours in hot weather then stopped for gas. After filling up, I tried to start it and got nothing but lights on the dash and the buzzer that sounds. No cranking or any other sign of trying to start. This happened three or four times over the next 60 seconds. I waited another minute or two and tried again. Finally it started and ran fine.

This approximate scenario has happened three times in the last two weeks. It never seems to happen when the truck is cold or has been driven for only 30 minutes or so. Under those circumstances, it always starts on the first attempt.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this inconsistent re-starting after longer periods of operation?

Thanks for your input!

DWK

[Rock Chuck]

Disconnect the cable to the starter when the engine's hot and test it with a volt meter. If it's hot, you know you're getting juice to the starter. At that point, I'd assume that its in the starter. On a '93 with that many miles, it's about time for the starter to go out. They aren't very expensive. If it's even getting weak, I suggest replacing it. Better to have it die in the driveway & not 8 miles back up a logging road.
Last year the starter on my '91 Chev K2500 started getting real weak. I pulled it and took it to a parts store where they tested it to be fine. Since it was already out of the truck, had about 130K on it, and a new one with a lifetime warranty only cost about $60 or 70, I just replaced it. The new one picked up the truck and flipped it over. Their testing machine apparently didn't account for a load, just whether it turned over or not.

[DancesWithKnives]

Good idea---I'll test the juice to the starter first. I was planning to get a spare starter and alternator before a driving trip in Oct. so I'll just accelerate that.

The thing that confuses me is why the truck would start on the 4th or 5th try after only an extra minute or two of waiting? You'd think that if it didn't start on the first 3 or 4 tries while very hot, it wouldn't start again until the truck cooled for a substantial period of time.

Thanks a lot for the advice,

DWK

[ncboman]

Water pump may be putting a lot of load on when the engine is shut down hot until it cools. (Engines get the hottest after they are shut down.) I assume the coolant level is ok. Sometimes water pumps will 'talk' to ya before they play completely out.

[DancesWithKnives]

Thanks. I have a long screwdriver I can put somewhere near the water pump housing and use like a single-ear stethoscope. Might be able to hear whether I'm getting grinding or other nasty sounds out of the water pump.

Much appreciated,

DWK

[Just a Hunter]

Your starter is likly getting weak and after becoming heat soaked it's failing to operate.


This is why after a bit of waiting it will return to operating until the next time you attemt to crank it.

Just replace your starter.

With a 172,000 miles it will be a good investment, and if its not the problem you will still have headed off what would likly be a issue in the future anyway.

[DancesWithKnives]

Thanks! Sounds like an inexpensive way to go since I was planning to get another starter anyway.

DWK

[MoMike]

I agree with the above. The starter would be the first thing I'd look at.

[DancesWithKnives]

I bought a replacement starter. In October I'll be making some long drives so I'll be able to determine whether the vehicle starts on the first try after a long haul.

I also bought a spare alternator to carry, since the OEM part gave out after about 70K and the replacement has around 55K on it.

Thanks for the advice!

DWK

[Just a Hunter]

Keep us updated.
It's always good to know if your advice has helped.

[DancesWithKnives]

Thanks. I've been busy and have not yet installed the starter. All of my recent truck use has been <30 min. trips so I've experienced no problems. Sunday I'll have about a two-hour drive to the Dirttime wilderness skills gathering so we'll see if that causes the problem to recur. I've got the replacement starter and tools with me just in case the original doesn't survive the trip.

I'll be doing a long drive for a backpacking trip in Sept. and plan to swap in the new starter before then. If a 5 hour drive through the desert doesn't cause the problem to recur, that will be a good sign it's been solved by the new part.

Everyone's advice is much appreciated!

DWK

[LampLighter]

Man, I don't want to be a bump on a log, or start a brand debate, but those nickel & dime day after day problems would drive me nuts. I would think about cash for clunkers. I been through that. Many years. No more :mad: .

[DancesWithKnives]

Actually, I've been pretty happy with this truck. I've beaten the hell out of it from Baja Calif. to the Arctic Ocean. Down many trails designed for Jeep-size four wheelers. [My hunting buddy has a '95 K2500 with 245K and he's still on his original starter.] I like the low insurance, the low registration fees, and not worrying about scratches on narrow/brushy trails.

I've had AMC/Jeep, Ford, International Harvester, and Chrysler products and had a few problems with all. I'd say the old International Traveall had the fewest issues but, then again, it was an incredibly simple old truck.

DWK

[greenjeans]

If you dont hear the click click clik when cranking over the engine it more then likely is the starter.

Chevytalk.com is a great website for problems with vehicles they have some real good guys on there. Just dont go there with a ford or dodge problem.