familyhauler

Bought the burb used a few months ago. Had an issue where sometimes after driving short distances, stopping car, then alter restarting, wouldn't start sometimes. You would hear the click and dash lights come on, but no start.
Figured it was a bad battery, so replaced it. Did a full tune-up, then went on a family trip. Drove a few hundred miles (95+ degree weather), running AC the whole time. We made a stop to get something out of the trunk, kept it running during this time with ac running (about 10 minutes), then shut the car off. After 5 minutes or so, went to start again, and once again dash lights come on, you hear a click, but no start. So obviously battery wasn't an issue. Had to get someone to jump the battery, and started up just fine.

Any ideas??

in2pro

check the battery cables esp the ground cable to the block, it can look fine from the outside but can be corroded. Needs to read less then 4 ohms with a multi meter

familyhauler

Thanks in2Pro... I'll give it a look.

MDTAHOE

Pay attention to the cable bolts. If there is corrosion there then remove the bolts, clean the cables with baking soda and water then replace the bolts with new ones.

dyakovly

Had a same problem on my old Trailblazer, it was a starter, you may check it.

73shark

When you turn the key and hear the click, do the dome lites dim/go out?

familyhauler

73shark-

Can't remember what the dome lights were doing.
Wife just called me, she had a different problem today.
(this is after a full tune-up I did last week...wires,plugs,distributor,fuel filter)... she drove it into town, did some shopping, tried to start the truck about a half hour later. She said she had to try to get it to turn over a few times to start up. Lagging a bit going up the hills.. She said she felt it was "going to quit on her" a few times...
so who knows....

73shark

Recommend going to a place like Advance Auto who will do a Battery, alternator, and starter test for free. Only takes a few minutes.

in2pro

I second getting the elec system checked out.. when you said " Had to get someone to jump the battery, and started up just fine."
That is an important fact.. tells me the starter is not getting enough current to turn the engine over...

That is caused by
1. lack of current (weak battery)
2. weak battery (because its not getting charged)
3. lack of current ( poor connection to the battery / starter) (positive cable)
4. lack of current ( poor connection between battery /chassis) (negative cable)
5. poor connections (loose terminals) ( at battery / starter/ alternator)
6. poor connections (corroded cables / connections) ( should read less than 4 ohms)
7. starter going out