2003 siverado won't crank over?!?

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12-19-2008, 02:07 PM
Yeager

2003 siverado won't crank over?!?

So my 03 Silverado 4x4 w/5.3liter wouldn't crank over this morning (and it's like 10 degrees and sitting in 4" of snow). All the accessories came on just fine, radio, blower, headlights were not dim at all, but when I tried to crank it- nothing. No click, no turn, nothing. The security light was not on and I tried both sets of keys (not sure if it has a chip-key). When I checked the battery it had 12.1 volts. I checked the starter and it had the same. All battery wires are tight, no corrosion. I climbed under it in the snow to check the starter and everything looked tight, but I'll admit I didn't spend to much time looking while lying in the snow. Anyway, I retried to start it and when I turned the key, I turned it and held it for like 2 seconds, when I stopped turning the key (i.e. let go) it started to turn for a second. I retired and it started perfectly! WTF? I am going to drive it down to my shop later and check all the connections and stuff, but has anyone seen/heard of this before? Is it common to these trucks? Until I find out I am going to stick to driving my 87 K30, which seems to be much more reliable then any newer can I have ever owned. Thanks for the help. FYI- I did search this topic, but didn't really find anything.
12-19-2008, 02:09 PM
ducky

bad ground somewhere? might be loose?
12-19-2008, 02:31 PM
RedHeartbeat

Bad battery. Replace it.
12-19-2008, 02:43 PM
ff_jeff

Fuel pump come on?
12-19-2008, 02:45 PM
Yeager

When the truck did finally crank today, it cranked at full speed and started in less the 2 seconds, and on Monday this week it was -19 degrees and it started in 2 seconds, so I think the battery was good. I am going to clean/check all the wires today on the battery and starter, it could be a connection issue?
12-19-2008, 02:55 PM
RedHeartbeat

have it checked out. Extreme cold will short a battery out. Swap out to a known good battery and try it out.
12-19-2008, 02:55 PM
GMCwantsLS1

Maybe the starter got wet then froze. Then after you tried it a few times it was hot enough to melt.
12-19-2008, 02:59 PM
Yeager

I can't hear the fuel pump run even now that it's starting and running, so I don't know if it was running or not this morning. I'll test the battery today
12-19-2008, 03:16 PM
ff_jeff

with the truck off, turn the key to the on position, but dont start it... you should hear the fuel pump humm for a few seconds...
12-19-2008, 04:30 PM
Yeager

Quote:

with the truck off, turn the key to the on position, but dont start it... you should hear the fuel pump humm for a few seconds...

I tried that and can't hear it run, but I'm sure it's running.

Just stopped off at the chevy dealer and the battery tested good, it's less then 1 year old. No trouble codes were found and they didn't seem to know of any common issues that would cause it. Also they noted that the starter sounded good, he was guessing it may be the ignition switch in the column, but it was just a guess. When the exhaust cools off I will check the starter wires and hose them down with WD-40.
12-19-2008, 04:32 PM
ff_jeff

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeager

I tried that and can't hear it run, but I'm sure it's running.

Just stopped off at the chevy dealer and the battery tested good, it's less then 1 year old. No trouble codes were found and they didn't seem to know of any common issues that would cause it. Also they noted that the starter sounded good, he was guessing it may be the ignition switch in the column, but it was just a guess. When the exhaust cools off I will check the starter wires and hose them down with WD-40.

You should be able to hear it. sounds like a buzzing noise... if it doesnt do this, you might have a bad fuel pump. or relay. or wires. ect.
12-19-2008, 11:16 PM
GasGuzzler

Probably another failed ignition switch. Common problem. Put a buzzer or test light on the energize terminal of the starter before the next attempt and see if it "gets hot" in the crank position when the problem is happening. If not, you probably need a new switch.
12-20-2008, 11:57 AM
Yeager

Quote:

Probably another failed ignition switch.

I was not aware that was a common issue, but I threw the volt meter in the truck, it started great again this morning so I guess I'll have to wait and see. The ignition switch does turn everything else on, and when the "start" position is engaged it kills the power to the accessories like it should, But I have a feeling it is still the switch since when I check the wires on the starter they were all tight.
12-20-2008, 02:04 PM
metalchips

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasGuzzler

Probably another failed ignition switch. Common problem. Put a buzzer or test light on the energize terminal of the starter before the next attempt and see if it "gets hot" in the crank position when the problem is happening. If not, you probably need a new switch.

YUP YUP :imwstupid: