Why won't my truck start?

Question

I have an 85 GMC Suburban that has a new battery, alternator and starter. For some reason when I start it and let it run and cut it off, it won't start. If I let it sit for about 10 minutes it will start right up. It seems like the battery isn't charging or something. It was running fine until last night. I was told that maybe a wire is loose on the starter. Can someone help me?

Answer 1

Starter relayproblem, most likely there is also two fuseable links that can cause that . Those are those fat wires, usually green, or pinkish.

Answer 2

If all the components are new then I would first check all the wiring. Did you change the Solenoid? It sits near the battery. While the vehicle is running take a volt meter and test the output of the alternator and the voltage of the battery while pulling and pushing the wires. If you see a fluctuation in the voltage then you know that you have a bad wire. Considering the everything was recently changed I would think that most likely one of the connections is bad in which case when bad connection occurs you would need to remove the connection and clean it with a wire brush. Clean your battery terminals and cables. Suburbans are easy to work on because they have easy access to the parts.

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Answer 3

I have worked around cars my whole life and am currently a mechanic at a repair shop that specializes in Alternators and Starters. It sounds to me that the problem may be caused by a loose wire as your friend said. It may be something as simple as you hitting a bump in the road and knocking that wire in a position that makes it quite finicky which is why it has been acting fine until now. I would advise you taking it into a repair shop. Most will test out these components for free. Hope you get it worked out soon!

Answer 4

It sounds like it just may be your wires are loose. Now whether it's the starter or battery wires I'm not sure. That's one of the cheaper routes to check out first, the wires. Are there any check engine lights on while its running? 'Cause if you make it up to Autozone they'll but it on the dianostic machine for free, and let you know what the situation is.

Answer 5

You could try checking out all of the connections that run from the starter to your ignition switch. However, I doubt that that may be the problem. Best guess is that either your alternator maybe getting too hot, ot you have a short somewhere in the circuit. Either way, the circuit gets too hot and it won't start. But when it gets a chance to cool off, it'll start back up again.

I'd start by checking out the ignitio swicth and if that doesn't help, then check out the circuit to make sure thta everything's ok.

Answer 6

Check all the connection on the battery, alternator and starter. It does sound like a loose connection but it could be any of those three.

Answer 7

I would think it is a loose wire or bad connection check wires on starter and also check the ground wire to the engine. Also check for bad battery cables.

Answer 8

could actually be a number of things. starter relay is a good guess, however, once the car is running, it should have nothing to do with that. I would check to make sure battery is holding a charge, fuel line or your ignition switch. if nothing else, find a mechanic that would be willing to talk shop and see if they can give you any ideas. If there is not one in your area, i can give you the number for mine!!

Answer 9

does it turn when u try to start it is the statrter turning right like does it sound right might be over heating the starter its self if so time tyo replace it it could be seizing up along withy the alternator could be seizing up

Answer 10

have to agree sounds like a relay is sticking