1998 chevy blazer wont start - help?

Question

1998 chevy blazer wont start, first I was having problems with the lights dimming, and blinking, that would be headlights, interior lights, and dashboard, at first it was so slight that you really could not notice, but when driving at night, was when you really noticed. I took to mechanic, he cleaned the ground wires, and said that my battery was testing weak, so he changed battery, this was 2 weeks ago, the light blinking seem to have gotten a little better, then 2 nights ago (friday) I was comming home from work and stopped for like 5 min, at a store, blazer would not start up, I turned the key in inigtion and nothing completely dead, no clicking nothing, I sat there for about 5 min. and starting trying again, finally car started got home turned car off, waited a min, turned on again, then I turned car off/ sat. am went out to start car, put key in did not crank, dash and everything lit up, when I turned key everything shut down. tryed starting car during day nothing.

Answer 1

Thereis a swich in the gear box that stops a car starting except in nutral or park it is out of adjustment~~

Answer 2

it's possible that the battery is run down do to the alternator not charging (as mentioned). if you drive to your local autoparts store to have it checked (most do it for free, just call them prior), you will have to have at least 12.45v on the battery for them to test it correctly. now once the battery is tested, they can check the starter (draw), and the alternator, and give you that information.

if you can't start your vehicle, try taking out your battery, and run it up to your autoparts store to test/charge, as need be, then run your vehicle up there.

i'd have someone follow you (if you drive it up there), in case the battery needs to be charged, and you don't have to wait around.

also, what do the battery cables/connections look like? corroded, clean or what? it does sound like a bad ground, but start with the basics (have things checked). just because it's a new battery, doesn't mean it's good (defects do happen).

edit: "look good last test while the car is running remove the red cable from the battery if the car stalls the alt. is not working and needs replaced" <-- disagrees with John T!! (NEVER DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES ON NEWER VEHICLES WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING!!!) you could cause a voltage spike that can cause damage to your alternator, engine computer, additional onboard electronics, etc., this is an old school check, that should not be done on modern vehicles with todays electronics!!!

Answer 3

The altenater is Bad. or the belt that turns the alt. The battery just allows you to start the car when it is running the alt. then powers the car. A way to test that is to get someone to jump start your car let it run for a little while to see if it will charge the battery, while it is running look a see if the alt. is turning and the belt looks tight if those two things look good last test while the car is running remove the red cable from the battery if the car stalls the alt. is not working and needs replaced. GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

When your shop technician installed the new battery, he should have checked your charging system and alternator performance. Maybe he did, but you need to drive the car to an auto store and have the new battery and charging system tested to make sure the battery is charging properly. You may need a new alternator which sometimes fails as a result of a bad battery. Have another car accompany you so they can jump start your car if necessary.

Answer 5

Alternator is bad---what the mechanic should have also done is test the charging system when he tested the battery, a weak alternator will not properly charge the battery and the power demand of the truck will wear it out soon. If the alternator is bad, the truck has to run on battery alone and will run out of juice in a short time....the alternator is what powers the truck when running and charges the battery. You should charge and test the battery to see if it's ok yet, otherwise you may have to replace it again...hopefully it's allright yet.

Answer 6

Personally I would check the connections on the starter before I went buying any parts! I had a similar problem with my electrical system this winter and it drove me nutz! Came down to a short in the wires at or near the starter. There is a bundle that comes down from the top of the engine to the starter and contains your four wheel activation (at least on my p/u) make sure those wires are not burnt thru and grounding and all connections are corrosion free b4 you buy expensinve parts. Also......dis-advantage auto will test you old alt for free b4 you buy....but if alt guage reads above 12 when running its fine!

Answer 7

Sounds like a flat battery or an alternator problem.

Not expensive to fix.