won't start! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1986Silverado · 05-04-2004, 06:14 AM

Got in my truck this morning to come home from work and it would not start. Would not do anything. It started fine when I went to work yesterday. Lights came on and were bright as if the engine were running. I think maybe the starter or ignition switch. Are there any other things it could be? Also what does the volt guage supposed to read with the key on engine off? Mine was reading like 8 or 9 volts!

By the way this is on the 85 I have that is for sale, not the 86 in my sig. Please help.

jared stewart · 05-04-2004, 08:24 AM

Do all the easy stuff first. Check all your fuses, fusable links. If you have a voltmeter check to make sure your getting juice to your starter. Make sure your getting good ground. If you think it's the ignition, run a wire from the positive side of your battery to the dark purple wire that goes into your firewall wire block. I'm sure other people will come up with better ideas.

hotrodhomi · 05-04-2004, 09:24 AM

do you hear any clicking when you turn the key over? do you have a hand held voltage meter?

NeCrOmAnCeR · 05-04-2004, 10:10 AM

Check the neutral safety switch / or clutch switch (if manual) could try putting it into neutral (if auto) an see if it starts.

1986Silverado · 05-04-2004, 02:44 PM

No clicking from the starter. I will try the wire idea Jared. I also put it in neutral and nothing. I'm stumped

Also by the way the volt guage is good it read 14 volts when running. So what's is suppose to read when the key is on engine off? Thanks guys

Low87on20s · 05-04-2004, 02:48 PM

my 87 did this once. I changed the battery cables and all has been fine since.

hotrodhomi · 05-04-2004, 04:17 PM

your battery should have at least 12.5 volts when the truck is off. also check on the battery post, as well as the end of the cable, because you my have a bad connection.

1986Silverado · 05-04-2004, 05:24 PM

So with the key on engine off the guage should read at least 12.5 volt...is that correct? I checked the cable connections at the battery and they were tight. Will check the other end today. Thanks

Opper77 · 05-04-2004, 06:13 PM

Like above, check the fusible links. I had the same problem not too long ago...also, does your heater motor come on when you turn the key to "on" (make sure its on on your controls) If not I'd suspect the fusible link more closely 'cause they're on the same power supply wire...

1986Silverado · 05-05-2004, 08:42 AM

Well got to work yesterday and the damn thing fired right up. Cranked right up this morning also. All the cables and links look fine. Everything is also tight. I have one question.....There is a wire the runs off of the positive cable to the radiator support....looks like a ground wire. What is that wire for and would that cause porblems if it was bare and touching metal?

Opper77 · 05-05-2004, 11:30 AM

You shouldn't have a wire from your pos. terminal straight to ground.. that would be a dead short....

1986Silverado · 05-05-2004, 05:05 PM

Just went and looked at my 86 and you are right it is from the negative cable. What if that wire is exposed and touching metal? I will check and be sure it is on the negative side on my 85 when I get to work.

Opper77 · 05-05-2004, 06:51 PM

If the ground wire is bare and touching metal, it wouldn't be the end of the world I don't think BUT you could start arcing it out and blowing a fuse and/or link. Tape it up as best you can and then start checking your fusible links. Do a continuity test from either side of the links (there is one on the firewall next to the wiper motor, and 2 or 3 right close to the starter on the wires coming off it...(my problem was near the firewall one))

79scottsdale · 05-07-2004, 10:41 PM

my 79 scottsdale is having the same problems, i hear the clicking noise and all that but i dont have any idea what it was, i saw a cable ocming off of my neg. cable and it was coated in yellow coating but after about 10 secs. of trying to start it up, i somehow melted the yellow rubber coating right off of it!!!!!!! i dont know what the hell is wrong with it but i need to know soon bc its my DD and im tired of riding the bus to school every morning, especially since im a junior in high school!!!!
thanks,
joe

TOMMAY · 05-08-2004, 07:55 PM

If the small wire from the neg cable to the radiator support is overheating,it means your main ground is bad.They can look ok but be rotten inside.Had the same problem with mine recently,intermittent no start,but good lights and that was the problem.Like to have drove me crazy. Replaced the ground cable and bingo no more problems.

Good Luck

Tom

05-04-2004, 06:14 AM	#1
1986Silverado What I drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Star, MS Posts: 418	won't start! Got in my truck this morning to come home from work and it would not start. Would not do anything. It started fine when I went to work yesterday. Lights came on and were bright as if the engine were running. I think maybe the starter or ignition switch. Are there any other things it could be? Also what does the volt guage supposed to read with the key on engine off? Mine was reading like 8 or 9 volts! By the way this is on the 85 I have that is for sale, not the 86 in my sig. Please help. __________________ 1986 Chevy Crew Cab Dually(Choo-Choo Conversion) 2006 Chevy Equinox

05-04-2004, 08:24 AM	#2
jared stewart Silverado Stew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ewing, MO Posts: 184	Do all the easy stuff first. Check all your fuses, fusable links. If you have a voltmeter check to make sure your getting juice to your starter. Make sure your getting good ground. If you think it's the ignition, run a wire from the positive side of your battery to the dark purple wire that goes into your firewall wire block. I'm sure other people will come up with better ideas. __________________ - 1997 3/4 Ton Ext. Cab LB 4x4 6.5L Diesel - 1979 3/4 Ton Longbed 4x4 "Farm Truck" - 1984 1/2 Ton w/ '99 Vortec 350/700R4 2x4 FOR SALE

05-04-2004, 02:44 PM	#5
1986Silverado What I drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Star, MS Posts: 418	No clicking from the starter. I will try the wire idea Jared. I also put it in neutral and nothing. I'm stumped Also by the way the volt guage is good it read 14 volts when running. So what's is suppose to read when the key is on engine off? Thanks guys __________________ 1986 Chevy Crew Cab Dually(Choo-Choo Conversion) 2006 Chevy Equinox

05-04-2004, 02:48 PM	#6
Low87on20s Live from Atlanta Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 511	my 87 did this once. I changed the battery cables and all has been fine since. __________________ Paul

05-04-2004, 05:24 PM	#8
1986Silverado What I drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Star, MS Posts: 418	So with the key on engine off the guage should read at least 12.5 volt...is that correct? I checked the cable connections at the battery and they were tight. Will check the other end today. Thanks __________________ 1986 Chevy Crew Cab Dually(Choo-Choo Conversion) 2006 Chevy Equinox

05-04-2004, 09:24 AM	#3
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	do you hear any clicking when you turn the key over? do you have a hand held voltage meter?

05-04-2004, 10:10 AM	#4
NeCrOmAnCeR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hodgenville, Ky Posts: 735	Check the neutral safety switch / or clutch switch (if manual) could try putting it into neutral (if auto) an see if it starts.

05-04-2004, 04:17 PM	#7
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	your battery should have at least 12.5 volts when the truck is off. also check on the battery post, as well as the end of the cable, because you my have a bad connection.

05-04-2004, 06:13 PM	#9
Opper77 Ob-Gyn Kenobi Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 489	Like above, check the fusible links. I had the same problem not too long ago...also, does your heater motor come on when you turn the key to "on" (make sure its on on your controls) If not I'd suspect the fusible link more closely 'cause they're on the same power supply wire... __________________ '85 GMC Shortbox... I used to have a firm handle on life....then it broke off.

05-05-2004, 08:42 AM	#10
1986Silverado What I drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Star, MS Posts: 418	Well got to work yesterday and the damn thing fired right up. Cranked right up this morning also. All the cables and links look fine. Everything is also tight. I have one question.....There is a wire the runs off of the positive cable to the radiator support....looks like a ground wire. What is that wire for and would that cause porblems if it was bare and touching metal? __________________ 1986 Chevy Crew Cab Dually(Choo-Choo Conversion) 2006 Chevy Equinox

05-05-2004, 11:30 AM	#11
Opper77 Ob-Gyn Kenobi Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 489	You shouldn't have a wire from your pos. terminal straight to ground.. that would be a dead short.... __________________ '85 GMC Shortbox... I used to have a firm handle on life....then it broke off.

05-05-2004, 05:05 PM	#12
1986Silverado What I drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Star, MS Posts: 418	Just went and looked at my 86 and you are right it is from the negative cable. What if that wire is exposed and touching metal? I will check and be sure it is on the negative side on my 85 when I get to work. __________________ 1986 Chevy Crew Cab Dually(Choo-Choo Conversion) 2006 Chevy Equinox

05-05-2004, 06:51 PM	#13
Opper77 Ob-Gyn Kenobi Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 489	If the ground wire is bare and touching metal, it wouldn't be the end of the world I don't think BUT you could start arcing it out and blowing a fuse and/or link. Tape it up as best you can and then start checking your fusible links. Do a continuity test from either side of the links (there is one on the firewall next to the wiper motor, and 2 or 3 right close to the starter on the wires coming off it...(my problem was near the firewall one)) __________________ '85 GMC Shortbox... I used to have a firm handle on life....then it broke off.

05-07-2004, 10:41 PM	#14
79scottsdale Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 12	my 79 scottsdale is having the same problems, i hear the clicking noise and all that but i dont have any idea what it was, i saw a cable ocming off of my neg. cable and it was coated in yellow coating but after about 10 secs. of trying to start it up, i somehow melted the yellow rubber coating right off of it!!!!!!! i dont know what the hell is wrong with it but i need to know soon bc its my DD and im tired of riding the bus to school every morning, especially since im a junior in high school!!!! thanks, joe

05-08-2004, 07:55 PM	#15
TOMMAY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mobile,Al Posts: 163	If the small wire from the neg cable to the radiator support is overheating,it means your main ground is bad.They can look ok but be rotten inside.Had the same problem with mine recently,intermittent no start,but good lights and that was the problem.Like to have drove me crazy. Replaced the ground cable and bingo no more problems. Good Luck Tom __________________ 76 Silverado 74 Vette



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