What do you think is the problem?

[SD_BLAZER]

I am almost ready to pull the plug and purchase my first blazer, 1988 full size 4x4. I am not sure on what motor it has in it. The owner says it will not start and gave me the following description of happened, (see below). Is this something that is serious and back away from it? He lives about two hours away so i haven't had a chance to see the blazer in person.

"i would tey to start it but it would not turn over. I would let the key go and the motor would continue to try to turn over and melted the battery post on the battery."

Any knowledge would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[gotblazers]

Cracked block = no compression therefore no start

Fuel pump is dead

Fuel filter is clogged and is not letting fuel through

Coil is dead

Ignition module is dead

Need i continue... The reason for a motor to crank but not start are plentiful. As to why it wouldnt stop cranking . He sounds like a tard so maybe he didnt pull the key out although without more info i cant say.

 

[1BEATK5]

sounds like the start wire from the ignition switch to the starter is shorted to ground. and there is some other problem causing it not to start

 

[TREA18]

Mine did this, and a new starter and battery fixed it. I'm pretty sure the starter was the main problem.

Good luck.

 

[Fordum]

It could be minor to very bad.
From the description, he turned the key to start, the solenoid fired, but the starter did not turn.
Plus, it sound like the contacts welded in the solenoid.

The causes could just be a weak battery. If a battery has enough power to pull the solenoid in, but not at full strength, it can cause the contacts to weld. Then the starter is stalled because it is not getting enough wattage to turn over the engine, but is getting enough to melt the wires.
Or the starter could be jammed into the flywheel, or shorted.
Or the engine could be frozen.

In the first place, all it needs is a starter setup, new wires and battery.
Second, same thing, but the flywheel might be bad.
Third, same as first, but new engine included.

No way to tell from the description.

If its a stick, put it in high, and rock it backwards. Watch for the engine to grunt. If the starter is jammed into the flywheel, this will usually release it.
Then, if it moved, try pushing it forward to see if the engine will turn over. If so, at least its not frozen.

If its an auto, then that is out.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The positive cable from the battery to the starter has a dead short to ground and that's why it melted the terminal on the battery.

 

[chulisohombre]

shorted positive wire to starter.bad solenoid return spring.shorted start switch.only way to know is to look it over.

 

[diesel4me]

Perhaps the engine seized,and the repeated attempts tostart it resulted in the solenoid getting "stuck" and not letting the starter release--thus melting the cable and battery post...the engine might be hydrolocked,spun a bearing,or maybe its just the starter or battery that caused it all...kind of hard to tell from here!...

I'd try to turn the engine by hand with a breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt *use caution so you dont twist it off or strip it if the engine is seized tight*...

If it wont turn over,depending on your bank account and ambition,I'd say to keep looking unless you dont mind replacing the engine and starter,battery,etc...it would have to be 100% rust free to make it worth all that if I were who was thinking of geting it!...