Starting issue

[camok5]

Having an interesting starting issue with my blazer. When I turn the key over I can hear the starter click but wont engage, I can turn the key multiple times and does the same thing but it eventually kicks in and starts. First thought was the starter was going bad and the solenoid was shot even though its a newer powermaster mini starter. Bought a new regular starter from napa and it does the exact same thing! The other interesting part is that after I get it started and it runs for awhile it will fire first time with both starters which makes me think it might be the ignition? I replaced all the wires with larger gauge wire too and checked all the connections? I guess I need to replace the ignition next but just curious if anyone else has some insight?

 

[paratrooper307]

Automatic? It could be your neutral start safety switch having intermittent issues. Usually any issue that improves/gets worse with temperature change speaks to issues with electrical connections. Also check your ground cables. Loose or bad grounds can cause starting troubles. Don't forget to go over anything you changed recently, we often assume the work we just did is not a potential failure point, and all too often it is.

 

[camok5]

Yeah its an auto but the neutral switch has been eliminated cause it has a winters floor shifter, ground cables are all new and yup I double checked every connection multiple times. I agree its probably electrical, i still need to check with a voltmeter to see if the power drops at the starter when cycled.

 

[Cili]

Is it a new battery cable from battery to starter? How do the ends/crimps look?

 

[camok5]

2 brand new batteries and new cables plus I've checked the voltage and no loss anywhere

 

[diesel4me]

I'd try jumping the solenoid at the starter next time it refuses to crank by the key,touch the "S" terminal's purple wire to the positive cable next to it..

--if it cranks over strong then,its likely the purple wire going to the solenoid,back to the fuse box and ignition,& neutral safety switch,has developed a bad spot somewhere,and your not getting enough amps through it,to give the solenoid sufficient "pull",enough to pull in the starter drive and make contact inside the solenoid,and crank the engine..

Sometimes a volt test means little--it takes practically no "connection" to show full voltage,but put a good load on that wire,and it'll not let enough amps pass to kick the solenoid in good..there is a good 5 or more feet of wire going from the ignition switch,to the neutral safety,and on to the solenoid,and several connections along the way that can corrode---the ignition switch itself may have dirty arced out contacts in the "crank" position too,that may only act up once in a while also...

 

[chulisohombre]

same thing happened to me. it was the ignition switch.best to check voltage across the terminals but mine is on my dash and is easily accessable.