Joseph Fillo Pastry

Hello Y'all
I have a Gmc vandura 1995 g3500 with the 6.5l V8 diesel engine.
It some times doesn't start first time.
Does any one have this same engine? Can you tell me your starting procedure, here is mine.
First turn on the ignition all the lights come up "Glow plug" light comes on as well as "service engine soon" light.
At this point volt meter reads about 9v
The "glow plug" light goes off and the volt meter goes up to about 10v
When i try to start it either starts or clicks.
Sometimes i have to repeat 2,3,4,5, times until it starts.
When it starts the "glow plug" light comes on again and the "service engine soon" light goes off.
When the "glow plug" light goes off again the volt meter jumps to 12.5v.
Is this normal?
Battery checks out ok.
Any help would be great
Thanks

canucklehead

Could be a bad starter solenoid, which is on the starter. How old is it?
Also your van being older I would go over the ground straps and all the power cables from the battery onward.

Joseph Fillo Pastry

Think all parts are original.
The solenoid is a good idea, any way of testing it with a volt meter?
Do you own this engine?
Thanks for the reply

canucklehead

No I don't. but I am betting that the starter circuit is very similar to a gas engine. As for the testing, you could pull the starter and have it bench tested....

Joseph Fillo Pastry

Thats great thanks canucklehead

greenfire

Check both of your batteries. You may have enough power for lights and such, but not for the glow plugs to heat and then starter to crank. Your van has two batteries, one under the hood and the other is in a frame mounted box under the driver side front.


Your starting procedure is correct. Crank after the glow plug lights go out.