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Help!! Family Suburban won't start

toddlnrd

toddlnrd

My first diesel!
Messages
209
Reaction score
16
Location
Garner, NC
Yesterday I changed my oil. I started her up just fine and moved her back in the driveway. No problems.

Let her sit for about 1 hour until the wife had to take the girls to dance class, then NO START! When I say no start, I mean nothing. Not a slow turn over, not even a click noise.

About 3 weeks ago, I got 2 new batteries.

One more thing, earlier yesterday, before the oil change, I accidentally tried to start the big girl without allowing the glowplugs to cycle. The vehicle was already at operating temps (about 170 deg F). Did not start then, but cranked over. Cycled key off and let glows cycle and started fine, drove home and changed oil.

Tried jumping with my Jeep this morning and still nothing, no slow crank, not even a click.

Any ideas?

Todd
 
Last edited:
Try whacking the starter with a piece of pipe (or whatever you have) - jab it through the gap between the frame and body or from below - just give it a few firm taps on the side of the case. If it starts then, you're probably looking at a new starter.
While you're there check the connections on the starter.
Might also be ignition switch.
 
Do you get any dash lights? I would start with checking all batt connections and grounds. Then move on to the starter. Another possibility would be ign switch.
 
All guages and dash lights come on as usual. I will go out and tap on the starter. Man, I hope it is not the starter. It looks like a PITA to change.

Will report back in 5 to 10 mins.

Would bad ignition switch allow guages and lights to work as usual?

todd
 
Just whacked the starter with a hammer.

Good News, the big girl started.
Bad News, she needs a new starter.

Any of the fine folks here have a step by step starter replacement procedure? I know there is a very important bracket that needs to go back on.

todd

BTW-Thanks for your help and Odlaw, I love your sig.
 
its pretty straight forward. remove the bracket from the rear. unhook the large power wire (unhook bat grounds first) and the small solinoid wire esiest way is from the pass side wheel well remove the rubber mudd flap, then remove the two starter bolts. it will take some manuvering to get the starter out but thats how i do it. sorry not the best write up but its not to hard of a job. make sure you get a good starter acdelco is best i have put paladium 4 starters in my truck on warranty replacement they just dont last.:mad2:
 
you are going to need a universal between your extension and socket to get at that rear bracket ..... atleast I did ....... you will to jack her up and take off the passenger side wheel.

I didn't know all this when I started out ....... took a few to figure it out. I didn't take off the wires until I had it out ......I supported the starter with a jackstand to take the wires off.
 
Anubis said:
you are going to need a universal between your extension and socket to get at that rear bracket ..... atleast I did ....... you will to jack her up and take off the passenger side wheel.

I didn't know all this when I started out ....... took a few to figure it out. I didn't take off the wires until I had it out ......I supported the starter with a jackstand to take the wires off.
Click to expand...

thats how i first did them untill one day i say that it would be really easy to get at from the wheel well
 
from reading your sig,, If I were you, while I had the garage warmed up doing the started,, I'd put a NEW ACDelco OPS in there and also do the OPS relay mod while your at it! That way you could stop replacing that lift pump so much!! LOL

X2 on what they said on the starter. Get a good one, pay the price, and do it once!
 
TurboTahoe said:
Why is it that the 99 doesn't need the relay mod?

-Rob :)
Click to expand...


It'd be redundant. It's factory on the newer vehicles.

I have a 1/4" craftsman battery ratchet that works great at getting the wire off the small stud. A cheap set of wobble extensions from Harbor Frieght also makes the job much easier and they don't flop around like a swivel.
 
toddlnrd said:
Just whacked the starter with a hammer.

Good News, the big girl started.
Bad News, she needs a new starter.
Click to expand...

I have replaced starters several times (on other vehicles). What usually wears out is the starter solenoid - The solenoid is basically a plunger that is pulled in with 12 volts by an electro-magnet, which forces the plunger to act as a giant relay, providing a connection to the starter's motor. After thousands of starts, the faces of the plunger/relay become pitted and don't conduct current properly anymore, and/or the plunger gets sticky. It may also be the brushes on the starter (if it is a brushed design). Whacking the starter can help free up the plunger/solenoid, or disrupt the conducting surfaces of the relay enough to get the vehicle to start.

The only solution is to take the starter apart and clean and resurface the solenoid, replace brushes, etc. OR put in a new one.

Given what a pain it is to replace the starter, I agree with putting in a high-quality new one.

-Rob :)
 
The power leads can also rot off the starter/battery and gradually loosing contact. You may get lucky and have a rotten off lead wire.
 
Local auto parts store: $235
Chevrolet parts store: $585

I think I will take my chances. I was let go from my job 2 months ago and funds are kinda tight.

Does anyone know of any Civil Engineer Positions available?

Todd
 
I think I paid $260.00 for mine two years ago, Lifetime warranty, Autozone. No regrets and didn't want to pay double for a "quality" starter...of course, if mine does die I always have a manual tranny and can push start it to get me to the nearest Auto Zone :D

They're fairly easy to swap em.(after you've done it one time).....seems like I always think everything on these trucks is fairly easy.... :) One more reason I love this truck. The starter replacement is not my favorite thing to do but it's totally doable in your backyard....as long as you have a dry spot you can crawl under your truck to get to it. Be careful because these starters are pretty heavy and awkward to handle lying flat on your back. It's also good time to inspect the bracket that holds the end of the starter. When I swapped mine the bracket was broke in half so I removed it and v-ground the crack and put a GO-rilla weld on it with my Miller wire welder. Still holding.
 
Be careful. The Diesel starters are heavier than gas starters. So expect this and don't get your hand squished when the final bolt comes out...

You should look at a local starter rebuild shop. They may be better quality than a fix what broke only Autozone rebuild. X2 on not much luck with lifetime warranty that wears out mounting bolts...
 
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