Strange Starting Problem

[HUMTECH]

well if the starter relay is energizing and there is no power at the starter s terminal you have an open in the start circuit between the relay and the starter. If the starter relay is not energizing you have an open circuit between the ign switch and the relay

[Sundown94]

Thanks Humtech! I will give the info to my mechanic and report back on how it goes. Honestly though, at this point I am also thinking about having my truck towed over to the local GM dealership to see if they are better equiped to figure out the problem. Not sure what yo and others here think of this idea (good or bad?).

[Sundown94]

Here's another update. I spoke to my mechanic about the possibility of an "open circuit" and he said he has tested for that. The newest information is that his volt meter is reading different voltages at the starter solenoid...all of them low enough that the solenoid won't work. For example, some of his readings were around 8 volts. But the battery is very healthy and -- on few occasions -- the truck started just fine. What could be causing the voltage going to the starter to fluctuate? Is it a short? Can it be the remote starter (can it interfere with the juice that goes to the starter)? This is getting extremely frustrating!

[Olfart]

Check all the crimped connector ends at the starter and solenoid. Could be loose or have corrosion from moisture which would add enough resostance to cause the voltage drop to 8V under starter load. Better yet...replace them and make sure that all conections in the starter circuit are clean and tight.

[Sundown94]

Thanks Olfart! Does anyone have any wiring diagrams, or does anyone know where all of the connections are located between the ignition switch in the steering column and the solenoid on the starter? I ask because I am sure it is not one long solid wire...there are probably several connectors along the way. This may sound rediculous, but I am actually thinking of taking a day off from work so that I can spend it with the mechanic trouble shooting this problem. At this point, it will be at his shop for a month (this Friday) and the possibility for bad weather is increasing every day as we head into the depths of winter, so I really would like to get the H2 back and put my '94 Z-28 (now a classic) back in my garage.

[HUMTECH]

[HUMTECH]

Check connections for remote start in ignition switch harness, could be a bad connection causing your 4v voltage drop or even the remote start module pulling the circuit down via a bad ground or internal short