02' Xtreme Trouble starting the engine
 

Hello all. I have a 02' 4.3 2WD Blazer Xtreme. For the last year or so I have been having trouble getting the engine to turn over on the first turn of the key.

ENGINE COLD - I turn the key and it "tick tick tick tick tick VROOM" starts.

ENGINE WARM (I ran the car 20 minutes ago) - I turn the key "VROOM" starts right up.

What I found out over time is that when i turn the key to power the car ON then quickly turn it OFF, then turn it the whole way over to START the car it reduces the chance of this happening.

I have replaced all of my spark plugs. My battery is good. I have replaced the starter. After replacing the starter, it only made the "ticking" faster before it started.

I have been told by a friend that it could be the voltage regulator. But I am tired of spending money on things that arent solving the problem. So now I am here. PLEASE help me.

Thank You,

Jeff

Possible starter voltage problem, the whole key thing is most likely placebo effect. Ground cable from the battery to the block is always a good place to start, clean and inspect. It starts easy after its warm cause the battery just got a good shot of juice from the altenator. Not sure how you know the battery is good, even new ones can be bad. Most parts stores will load test for free. Really all connections need to be clean and tight. A Pep-Boys should find your problem pretty quick and at a fair price if you don't want to get your hands dirty. Just remember if you go into a place and you say "I need a new starter" they will sell you a new starter. Just tell them what has been done and what the problem is, don't suggest. It will cloud diagnostic thinking also any guy worth his salt will check what you say has been done first! In fact ask him to. Throwing parts at things by friends suggestions can be real expensive. Good luck!

what spitty sez!

I'm going to assume that by 'tick.. tick' you mean a relay clicking noise. The starter doesnt run while it does this.

One way to isolate, if that is so is turn on your headlights .. if they flicker or dim while the 'click' happens, check battery post terms, the ground from batt neg to chassis
The connection from batt positve to fuse block

If headlights and other lights dont flicker while that happens, Batt neg to engine block, batt pos to starter.

Also small wire connection at starter, start relay in fuse block {remove relay and look for signs of pin overheat.

Note it is normal for headlights to dim somewhat while the starter is actually cranking.
Last.. and quite possible.. your ignition switch.

Your friend was technically right that a voltage reg could cause the problem.. if it failed and battery ran down from not being charged. However voltage regulators seldom fail in modern alternators, and when they do the 'battery' light in the dash lights, and volts never go above twelve.
If he meant that the alternator runs the battery down, overnight.. NO, it's not the regulator. It's a partially shorted rectifier that does that.