Cascade Crew

cameron7710 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:44 pm Post subject: non thirdgen problem

i just got a van and now it wont start. first off its 93 chevy cargo van with 305 tbi and had been siting for about a year. but i picked it up in shelton on friday and it drove the 110 miles back fine. then i flushed the cooling system and changed the themostate yesterday and took it for a drive and still went great but the next time i tryed to start it the starter dose nothing tryed a differnt battery and still nothing. just wondering where the best place to start trouble shooting is cause i have no idea

flea · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

Whack it with a hammer.

cameron7710 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:07 pm Post subject:

hmm well didnt need to wack it with a hammer but i just went out to check some things and it fired right up Confused

so i dont really know what the problem was i just hope it dosent do it again. im sure it probley will tho i dont think problem like that will just go away

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:21 pm Post subject:

There's been a few posts on here about starter problems.

First thing to do when it doesn't crank, is get a test light and see if the solenoid wire lights up with the key in the "start" position. If it does, it needs a starter or your heavy battery cables are fubar. If not you've got an ignition switch/wiring issue.

flea · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:09 pm Post subject:

Whack it with a hammer. Twisted Evil

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:48 pm Post subject:

Don't discount flea's terrible advice. That's the redneck way of freeing up a stuck solenoid or bendix

Paul's thoughtful advice is probably a better bet, however. Razz

flea · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject:

Terrible??
Whatchu talkin' bout.

cameron7710 · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject:

well sure enough the problems back this time it was cranking tho and just stoped right before the engine fired. i thought this was due to a bad battery connection because the top post to side post battery adapter where striped out so i replaced thoses with new ones and checked the battery cables for corrosion or breaks and found nothing and it still wont crank and im pretty sure the ignition switch is fine cause all the dummy lights and the radio go off when u try to start it . so im pretty sure at this point i need a new starter or solenoid. i just need to find my multi-meter so i can check everything for sure.

and yes flea i did resort to wacking it with a hammer still nothing Crying or Very sad

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject:

Do what I suggested first.

Also do what flea said. Have someone turn it to START and hold it. Tap the starter with a hammer. If it fires right off you need a starter.

Your diagnosis of the ignition switch doesn't tell you anything. Just because the other stuff goes off, doesn't mean it's engaging the start circuit.

QwkTrip · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:54 pm Post subject:

Isn't anybody curious why he wanted a cargo van?

chevymad · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject:

flea · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject:

cameron7710 · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject:

well i was never able to find my tester so i said screw it and just poped the starter off and had it tested at the part store. and it check out fine so i put it back in and still nothing so i took cables off the solenoid and sanded the shizzle out of all of them and it fires up great now Very Happy

Twigger · New Member Joined: 02 Mar 2012 Posts: 17

Glad to hear you fixed you problem but just to chime in, the starter testers at the parts store are pretty much worthless. I would say 4 out of 5 bad starters on those machines will test good. It's a simple spin test with no load so you really have to use your ear to listen and see if it sounds bad. When in doubt have the guy throw a new one on there to compare how it sounds.