All,

I have a 2001 Silverado 1500 with 5.3 that will lose all electrical power when the key is turned to start. I get a funky clicking sound from the starter and then all electrical power disappers... dash, radio, lights, everthing goes dead. I also have intermittent power, so far new battery and have checked the cable and fuses and all are good. When I do have power and jump the starter relay i get the same clunk and all power vanishes again. I can undo the battery connection and reconnect and sometime power comes right back some times it might take a few minutes... is this possibly a bad starter or starter solenoid? Would that cause loss of all electrical power?

I am stumped on this one.. any ideas?

 

A bad starter *could* potentially short the battery when the solenoid engages as you turn the key. I would consider pulling it and taking to a parts store to be tested. I recently had to replace the starter on my 1996 pickup, and it was not hard at all, if you have the ability to slide up under there.