I think my starter went out on my 1999 Blazer LS 4 door 2WD 4.3L.... I turned the key and nothing!! I first thought I need a jump, but the gauge said 12+ volts and everything was working dash, radio, ect. So I tried anyways and nothing. So I prepared myself for the task of removing the starter and replacing it. Before I did the + Batt. terminal had a lot of acid built up so I cleaned the terminals and it started up like normal! So later I was going to leave and it was the same again, no clicks nothing! So I pulled the starter and I did a bench test and the starter spins fine!!!

So do I replace it anyways or do I reinstall it and look for maybe the starter relay, Park-Neutral switch, or could it even be the ignition switch??????

 

could be the Neutral safety switch. Try checking your ignition fuse an relay as well.

 

A battery can show full voltage and 100% charge but still be bad under load. Also corrosion can exist within your battery cable that will show good voltage coming through the wire until you put it under load (starting the truck). You should do a voltage drop test before replacing parts. You can also go to Autozone and tell them you would like them to do a starting and charging test on your truck (it's free). The device they use will first check the battery and put it under load. If that passes they will tell you to start the truck and the device will check the starter while it's cranking. Finally, the device will check the voltage regulator, lamp diodes and charging capability of the alternator. Now I will tell you that some of the employees don't seem to know how to use the device properly. So when you ask just state you understand that they can check your complete charging and starting system. If the employee gives you a bewildered look or says "we can check your battery", find the manager who should be more knowledgeable.

But, if you're like me and would rather do it yourself, do some googling and there's a lot of youtube videos that show you how to do a correct voltage drop test. Did a quick search and this one popped at the top of the list. I didn't watch it but I know Dan Sullivan is the inventor of the Load Pro which is specifically designed to measure voltage drop. So I'm pretty sure the video will probably help you out.

 

Watch some of this guys videos on how to test electrical systems. He does a great job, I think actually a mechanics professor for some universtiy and posts his lessons on youtube for his students.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...MUX0OvrIPSirz5