Hi,

Just had a 96 Blazer given to my son that will only start after sitting awhile. Has 184,000 miles. It'll start perfectly in a second first thing in the morning and run fine as long as you want but the moment I shut if off it won't turn over at all again at all whether I try it immediately or wait longer. Doesn't matter if it's hot or cold when I try it and shut it down and retry. No telling how long it has to sit but seems to as long as it takes to get stone cold. After shutting off if I turn the key everything will light up properly and the fuel pump cycles but it's otherwise dead after the first run. No solenoid clicks, no starter motor, nada.

It had been sitting for a couple of years so I checked the battery which tested bad so I put in a new one. I also pulled the alternator and had it tested and it's good. Still no go. Checked and cleaned all obvious connections and fuses and all are good.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Mark

 

i would pull the starter and have it tested, its what turns the motor over and yours isn't even turning over...your lights stay on as you turn the key ? And after the first turn over, it doesn't crank or anything ? If so, its not a battery problem, pull that starter and have it tested...once your sure it isnt the starter, we can go from there...

 

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I suspected the starter already and tried to pull it but the space it has to drop through is too small. Tried everything to get it out including loosening the tranny mounts, lifting it with a floor jack and prying it over a bit. No go.

However, while trying to disconnect the starter I discovered the post with the lead that goes from the solenoid to the starter motor was just a bit loose by a couple of turns. I tightened it up, put it all back together and it starts every time, now.

Keeping my fingers crossed it was just that simple. We'll see.

Thanks again.