I can hear the starter clicking. . The starter is 6 years old, and I realize it might still be bad . The battery is new this year and checks out. 12.50 volts

 

This happened to my dad's old C1500 and it turned out that the starter pinion gear was stuck out and engaged with the flywheel. He just put it in neutral and rocked the truck forward and backward until it popped loose. Might be worth a try.

 

We had to move it from where it died so we ended up pushing it around. So I don't think that's it. The first time it didn't start, I twisted the positive battery cable at the post. The cable at the post moved a little and then it started up. I thought it might be a corroded connection or loose. I re-tightened it, and turned it off and it wouldn't start again.It wont start in neutral either. The whack it with a hammer didnt do anything either. I always that was a thing that worked with older starters with worn armatures.

 

try holding the key in start position while someone gently taps the starter with a hammer. If it starts, get a new starter

 

Thanks. Did that. The starter is 6 years old. I put maybe 18,000 mles on it in those 6 years. Its a 3rd vehicle that doesnt get driven much. Id hate to think the starter is that crappy to last so short a time but thats what its looking like.. The one it replaced was the original stock starter, made in Detroit back in 1988.

 

Something you might consider,
What kind of condition are the battery cables in ?

Measuring at the battery is fine for checking the present voltage at the battery, but a better thing to check is the voltage drop at the starter, which has to be done under load, (While attempting to start the engine), If that all checks out, then I would consider taking a deeper look at the starter assy.

Nothing like replacing a starter and still having the same problem.

 

Great to see the circuit diagram and the details of the following procedure explained.The scope gives a good visual of what is happening in real time as well as being able to record and manipulate the signal such as the coil pickup voltage.Keep up the good work.



192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1

 

Thank you.

 

It WAS the starter. A starter shouldn't fail after 6 years and minimal use. Especially since the one it replaced was made in Detroit Michigan by General Motors and had been in service since the truck was made. As the saying goes.
"They dont make em like they used to".