Engine will not crank at times

xAnarChisTx · 07-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Hey everyone. Back again!

Anyways, the problem that I am having now is that at times, when I put the key in the ignition, and attempt to start the car, the engine doesn't crank. The battery works fine, because when I turn the key in the ON position, I get power, and I even turned the stereo, wipers, and the head lights on, without any problems.

But, after turning it to the ON position, and attempt to turn it to START, after a few tries, the car starts perfectly fine!

I have done some research, and noticed that it could be 4 scenarios:

1. Intermittent neutral safety switch
2. Intermittent ignition switch
3. Starter solonoid
4. Bolts that attach battery cables to the battery, needs to be replaced?

I don't know if the ICM would be a cause as well, but I know that in my previous post, I did replace it, and also tested the new ICM, and it was fine.

Any suggestions as to why it wouldn't crank at times?

Bill Wheats · 07-03-2008, 10:27 AM

Well, let me pull out my crystal ball and figure out what model and year you have...

No, it's busy searching for future lottery numbers. Too bad.

Solid10 · 07-03-2008, 10:28 AM

hm well number 4 i've seen before. You're talking about the terminals right? Just unscrew the two cables and make sure the bolts and terminals are bare metal and corrosion free, and that there's also nothing intercepting current where the cables attach to the terminals...

and if you're saying it won't crank when you quickly turn the key from off to start, but it will if you pause at 'on' and then try to start, check your fuel pump.

That's the most i can help you with bud i haven't encountered many starting problems myself but i'll ask some guys around the shop when i get a chance.

Solid10 · 07-03-2008, 10:29 AM

oh and if you have a haynes manual for S series trucks this would be a good time to look in the troubleshooting section

Yogi · 07-03-2008, 10:36 AM

I would clean the battery posts and cable terminals first. Sometimes they will work just good enough to run the accessories but not to run the starter.

xAnarChisTx · 07-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill Wheats

Well, let me pull out my crystal ball and figure out what model and year you have...

No, it's busy searching for future lottery numbers. Too bad.

Sorry, could have sworn you helped me out before, lol. Of course, I don't expect you to remember.

2001 GMC Jimmy, 4.3L (obviously)

xAnarChisTx · 07-03-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10

hm well number 4 i've seen before. You're talking about the terminals right? Just unscrew the two cables and make sure the bolts and terminals are bare metal and corrosion free, and that there's also nothing intercepting current where the cables attach to the terminals...

and if you're saying it won't crank when you quickly turn the key from off to start, but it will if you pause at 'on' and then try to start, check your fuel pump.

That's the most i can help you with bud i haven't encountered many starting problems myself but i'll ask some guys around the shop when i get a chance.

Ahh, you think it could be the fuel pump? I just had that replaced! (maybe it's the connection to the pump)

I don't think it could be the pump, because if it was, the my car would at least crank. So, I will check out the battery terminals and bolts. Give it a good clean!

Solid10 · 07-03-2008, 01:05 PM

it'll struggle starting if you're fuel pump isn't priming right-do you hear it hum when you turn the key for a few seconds?
Maybe a connection to the starter too get down and look at that

Solid10 · 07-03-2008, 01:06 PM

OH you mean it would at least attempt to crank just not turn over? Yeah you're right even with a bad fuel pump you're truck should attempt to crank

Solid10 · 07-03-2008, 01:08 PM

is your GMC a stick?

07-03-2008, 10:15 AM	#1
xAnarChisTx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Location: User is: OffLine	Engine will not crank at times Hey everyone. Back again! Anyways, the problem that I am having now is that at times, when I put the key in the ignition, and attempt to start the car, the engine doesn't crank. The battery works fine, because when I turn the key in the ON position, I get power, and I even turned the stereo, wipers, and the head lights on, without any problems. But, after turning it to the ON position, and attempt to turn it to START, after a few tries, the car starts perfectly fine! I have done some research, and noticed that it could be 4 scenarios: 1. Intermittent neutral safety switch 2. Intermittent ignition switch 3. Starter solonoid 4. Bolts that attach battery cables to the battery, needs to be replaced? I don't know if the ICM would be a cause as well, but I know that in my previous post, I did replace it, and also tested the new ICM, and it was fine. Any suggestions as to why it wouldn't crank at times?
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 10:27 AM	#2
Bill Wheats Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,187 Location: Maine User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times Well, let me pull out my crystal ball and figure out what model and year you have... No, it's busy searching for future lottery numbers. Too bad.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 10:28 AM	#3
Solid10 i hate people. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times hm well number 4 i've seen before. You're talking about the terminals right? Just unscrew the two cables and make sure the bolts and terminals are bare metal and corrosion free, and that there's also nothing intercepting current where the cables attach to the terminals... and if you're saying it won't crank when you quickly turn the key from off to start, but it will if you pause at 'on' and then try to start, check your fuel pump. That's the most i can help you with bud i haven't encountered many starting problems myself but i'll ask some guys around the shop when i get a chance.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 10:29 AM	#4
Solid10 i hate people. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times oh and if you have a haynes manual for S series trucks this would be a good time to look in the troubleshooting section
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 10:36 AM	#5
Yogi Registered (Ab) User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,181 Location: League City, TX (Houston) User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times I would clean the battery posts and cable terminals first. Sometimes they will work just good enough to run the accessories but not to run the starter.
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07-03-2008, 10:47 AM	#6
xAnarChisTx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times Quote: Originally Posted by Bill Wheats Well, let me pull out my crystal ball and figure out what model and year you have... No, it's busy searching for future lottery numbers. Too bad. Sorry, could have sworn you helped me out before, lol. Of course, I don't expect you to remember. 2001 GMC Jimmy, 4.3L (obviously) Last edited by xAnarChisTx : 07-03-2008 at 10:55 AM.
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07-03-2008, 10:51 AM	#7
xAnarChisTx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10 hm well number 4 i've seen before. You're talking about the terminals right? Just unscrew the two cables and make sure the bolts and terminals are bare metal and corrosion free, and that there's also nothing intercepting current where the cables attach to the terminals... and if you're saying it won't crank when you quickly turn the key from off to start, but it will if you pause at 'on' and then try to start, check your fuel pump. That's the most i can help you with bud i haven't encountered many starting problems myself but i'll ask some guys around the shop when i get a chance. Ahh, you think it could be the fuel pump? I just had that replaced! (maybe it's the connection to the pump) I don't think it could be the pump, because if it was, the my car would at least crank. So, I will check out the battery terminals and bolts. Give it a good clean!
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 01:05 PM	#8
Solid10 i hate people. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times it'll struggle starting if you're fuel pump isn't priming right-do you hear it hum when you turn the key for a few seconds? Maybe a connection to the starter too get down and look at that
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 01:06 PM	#9
Solid10 i hate people. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times OH you mean it would at least attempt to crank just not turn over? Yeah you're right even with a bad fuel pump you're truck should attempt to crank
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-03-2008, 01:08 PM	#10
Solid10 i hate people. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Engine will not crank at times is your GMC a stick?
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