I have recently begun to have starting issues with my truck, a 1998 Chevy 350 Silverado. The issue is completely intermitten, so I never know when it is going to occur. Basically, I go to crank the truck and I hear the starter engage (click sound) but it does't turn over at all. I thought this was caused by a weak battery considering that when ever it did finally turn over it seemed very labored. I replaced the battery and the problem was fixed for about two weeks. It cranked really well during those two weeks. It happened again today for the first time since I have replaced the battery. I went to go start it and nothing, the starter engages (click sound) but doesn't turn the engine over. I tried to crank it 20-30 times after the initial attempt until it finally cranked as if the battery was weak. The volts of the battery we good from the get go. It had 12 and some change showing on the dash. I also have recently (before the new battery purchase) cleaned the battery cable leads with a wire brush and battery cleaner.

Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this problem?

My next step is battery cables, and if that doesn't work its getting a new starter. I would like to try and figure this out so I can go ahead and fix it and quit beating around the bush.

Let me know what you think.

May check the starter relay.

Had this same problem years ago, and the relay was going bad.

This may sound like an odd question, but does the gear shift indicator on your dash line up with the PRND12...?

the reason I ask is I have a similar issue with my 98 F150 where I'd go to crank and nothing would happen. I thought it was the starter solenoid b/c I could arc it with a screw driver and it'd crank right up. replaced the solenoid, still had the problem.

come to find out, my shift indicator is off a little and even when the truck is in park, it *thinks* it's in R, therefore it won't crank. now, when I turn the key and nothing happens, I know I can just drop it down into N and crank it up.

I hadn't thought of that. I figured if the relay was the problem the starter wouldn't even engage. I will definitely replace that first, considering its the cheapest.

Clean the connection where the ground wire is bolted to the block.

I'm not sure, I will have to check on that. I do know that whenever it does not crank and after giving it several tries until it finally cranks I never mess with the shift rod. In other words, it will eventually crank without messing with the gear shift rod.

I'm not the most mechanically inclined, where abouts would I need to look for the ground connection to the block?

Next time it fails to start, have someone tap on the starter while you hold the key in the start position. If it starts, go buy a starter.

Just follow the ground wire from the battery post to where it connects to the block.

It could also be a problem with the ignition switch or actuator. I had a similar problem in a jeep. I had checked and pulled the battery,starter, cables and everything was in good working order. The ignition switch and actuator were not making good contact I pulled them and replaced them over a year ago and it has cranked everytime since.

I would disconnect the small power wire going to the starter and measure voltage. if its under 10 your problem is before the starter if its over then the problem is your contactor disk, solenoid or big power wire connections. Its pretty common to have a voltage drop due to old electronics before the starter.

Do you think it is possible for the battery to be weak? If your alternator is not changing properly your battery could just be weak.

Check the starter relay and solenoid.

I am gonna guess it is a ground problem ....especially if you go off rd any

My tractor ground was rusted where it meets the frame and gave me fits until a buddy found it.

Could be.

Next time, check the voltage with a meter, not the dummy gauge on the dash. Those are useless. Also, check the battery voltage again when it's running and see what it is. That'll let you know if the alternator is jacked.

From negative cable it will go under passenger side front of motor to a bolt near the hamonic balancer.


After reading through the thread I cant believe noone said starter, they are a pretty cheap replacement on these trucks. I have seen a bad starter piggy back a bad battery several times. The battery was going out thereby causing the starter to work harder and heat up, now its weak.

I had a Jeep that had a similar issue. It was a loose connection to the battery negative. Make sure your connections to the battery are corrosion free and tight. Coworker had a similar issue with the same cause. Sounds stupid, I know. When my jeep would do it I could get out twist the neg. cable and try to get it down on the terminal better and it would fire every time.

It went on for a month or so until I finally remembered and took the time to fix it.

Hold the key/switch over to crank and have a buddy rap on the starter housing with a hammer.
It sounds like maybe the bendix may be getting stuck. If so, new starter with a lifetime warranty would be the way to go. (in my opinion)

No one said bendix yet. If you hear the starter making noise, sounds like solonoid or bendix to me. Prolly time for a new starter.