Gator Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Got a question for you. I have a '95 Chevy with a 350. Last two mornings it has been 20 or so, and it won't start till the air temps warm up. Won't even turn over. It has done this before, but I can turn the key and finally it would turn over. But now nothing, nada zilch, and I am at a loss. Anyone got any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Move to a warmer climate :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Move to a warmer climate :D:D sorry, but this is the extent of my poor mechanical knowledge. but shaun will be here soon. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Poor battery connections would be the first thing I would check Jason. Might be something as simple as a ground cable to the frame that is loose or connections at your battery. If those are all good, have the battery load tested, auto parts stores will check them for free usually. If all that is good, you might have a starter going bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Sounds like a Battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 sorry, but this is the extent of my poor mechanical knowledge. but shaun will be here soon. :) Beat me to it...Shaun will be your best bet....He's on the All-Canadian Chevy big brain team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Poor battery connections would be the first thing I would check Jason. Might be something as simple as a ground cable to the frame that is loose or connections at your battery. If those are all good, have the battery load tested, auto parts stores will check them for free usually. If all that is good, you might have a started going bad. That's what I am beginning to think to. I just remebered that my battery is about 5-6yrs old. Main reason I didn't think it was at first, is it won't even TRY and turn over. And when I turn the key from ACC to START, the voltage doesn't drop, so I know the starter isn't getting that "signal". We have a tester here at work, I'll take it home tonight and see what happens. TT, I'm in OKLAHOMA, where before to long it will be 100+. And truth be told, that may be an option that I really don't want here before to long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 That's what I am beginning to think to. I just remebered that my battery is about 5-6yrs old. Main reason I didn't think it was at first, is it won't even TRY and turn over. And when I turn the key from ACC to START, the voltage doesn't drop, so I know the starter isn't getting that "signal". We have a tester here at work, I'll take it home tonight and see what happens. TT, I'm in OKLAHOMA, where before to long it will be 100+. And truth be told, that may be an option that I really don't want here before to long If you are not getting a drop at all, no blink or click or nothing, you might have a dead spot in the starter. Usually a weak battery or poor connection when you turn the key over it will go dim. Could also be the connection at the starter itself too though. At least if you have to change the starter with it being so cold you should not have to worry about the copperheads.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 That's why they call them "Cold Cranking Amps" and when its cold and your bat's old, you need 'em and you may not have 'em. Get your battery tested. They'll tell you that you need a new one, cuz that's their job- to sell you a new one. But when it's as old as you say, I'd say you need a new one without even testing it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 HAHA William, VERY funny!!!!! LMAO!!!!!! I know the connection at the battery is good, I checked it last time it did this. I guess in my line of work I am somewhat over analyzing this. I got the tester and will check the battery. I just figured that if I had enough voltage/amps to power up the radio and dash lights and what not, that when I tried to start it that it would at least "drag" on the battery, and I would see a current draw on the volt meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 My bet is the battery is weak. Even if ya think the connection is good, check it again. 9 times outta 10 in my experience its always been poor connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 HAHA William, VERY funny!!!!! LMAO!!!!!! Sorry bud, couldn't resist.:D Could possibly a switch too Jason. With it not dimming, it might not be the battery, although at 5 years it probably is close to the end of the line for the battery. Cannot remember if my 92 had a solenoid on the starter, being that you are not getting any dimming though it is probably not a solenoid problem. Usually a bad solenoid would click and you would get lights dim. Low or weak battery likewise would have the lights and everything getting weak or dim or possibly even going dead when you tried to turn it over. I still would check all the connections between the battery and the starter. May be something as simple as a relay or if it is a manual transmission there is a switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYTnMUZZYboy Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 If your battery is 5 or 6 years old I would replace it anyway. Man thats an old battery . With that said im gonna half to say its your battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Sounds like the starter to me, get someone to hold the key in the "START" position and go underneath and give the starter a rap with a hammer. If it starts when you hit it, you need a starter. If it doesn't crank over, check for power on the purple wire at the starter (the small one) when the key is held in the start position. If you have power there, you need a starter. If it was the battery the voltage would drop way down when you hit the key and the lights would go dim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Sounds like the starter to me, get someone to hold the key in the "START" position and go underneath and give the starter a rap with a hammer. If it starts when you hit it, you need a starter. If it doesn't crank over, check for power on the purple wire at the starter (the small one) when the key is held in the start position. If you have power there, you need a starter. If it was the battery the voltage would drop way down when you hit the key and the lights would go dim. Moving to a warmer climate might be easier!!!!:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Moving to a warmer climate might be easier!!!!:D:D 20?! holy smokes that's warm compared to up here! You should try and start a diesel when it's -40 out. Plain and simple, if it ain't plugged in it ain't gonna start, period, end of story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Pull the battery up, and push another truck under it!!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Maybe shaun can correct me but I have a 92 chevy with a 350 and when its cold my EFI doesnt kick in because there is little electricity flow through the cold wires. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Sounds like the starter to me, get someone to hold the key in the "START" position and go underneath and give the starter a rap with a hammer. If it starts when you hit it, you need a starter. If it doesn't crank over, check for power on the purple wire at the starter (the small one) when the key is held in the start position. If you have power there, you need a starter. If it was the battery the voltage would drop way down when you hit the key and the lights would go dim. Thanks Shaun. I tested the battery yesterday morning, and its good, so guess I'll be putting a starter on. Thanks All. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Thanks Shaun. I tested the battery yesterday morning, and its good, so guess I'll be putting a starter on. Thanks All. Kind of figured it was the starter Jason. Starters on those truck are pretty easy to get to and change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 battery cell could be weak but sounds like a starter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Metal Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I just went through this exact problem with my 98 Honda civic. It was my starter. Best way to narrow it down, is to take a tire iron or something long to reach the starter, place one end on it and hit the other end with a hammer a couple times. If it's the starter....it will start right up. If that doesn't do anything, it's most likely your ground, connections or battery. I do my own wrenching and the starter was a very easy job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Thankfully my ex-father in law is a mechanic and has his own shop. I'll be taking it down there and putting it on the rack, MUCHO easier for an ole fat man than crawling around on the ground! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Hey, Gator, i think i got a new one for you if you need it. Those puppies will run ya $160 or so. If you need it PM me. should be a delco remy PG260. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Thanks but I can get it at cost, so I'm just gonna go that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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