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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: My85Chevy on February 19, 2015, 07:47:32 pm

Title: Starting problems
Post by: My85Chevy on February 19, 2015, 07:47:32 pm

Hey guys,

I have an 85 Chevy C10 with the 305.  My truck is always a 50/50 shot on starting.  When it does turn over you can hear a clicking sound at the battery like it's not making a good connection.  Sometimes all the power just shuts down. You can open the hood and walk around to the battery and without even touching anything hear the power come back on.  I've purchased new positive and negative battery cables from  .  They should be here by Monday.  I'm also read about ground straps and wonder if this would help, so I've bought two.  If I understand correctly one goes from the motor to the firewall and the other from somewhere to the frame. 

If anyone has any opinions on what to do and more information on the proper installation of these ground straps it would be appreciated.

Thanks
Alan

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: My85Chevy on February 19, 2015, 07:49:24 pm

And I maybe should add that the only gauge that doesn't work in my truck is the voltmeter.

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Captkaos on February 19, 2015, 07:49:58 pm

I am in no way stating this is it, but it could be the ignition switch.   Are you loosing power everywhere or?

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: My85Chevy on February 19, 2015, 07:53:48 pm

When it does go it appears to go everywhere yes.  The truck is completed dead.  Not even a click when you try to start it, and the noisy clock you can hear running when it's quite in the cab also goes silent.  I've never considered this could be an ignition switch.

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Captkaos on February 19, 2015, 08:28:50 pm

Do you have power at the junction block when it goes "bad"?

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: My85Chevy on February 19, 2015, 08:32:23 pm

I haven't ever checked that.  Next time it goes I'll check.   What would it mean if I do?  And if I don't?  Thanks.

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Irish_Alley on February 19, 2015, 08:34:52 pm

not to distract you from what capt is saying but it could be a lose connection at the starter also

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: Captkaos on February 19, 2015, 09:47:52 pm

Before I started throwing parts at it. I would verify power is making it everywhere and nothing is grounded...

Title: Re: Starting problems
Post by: My85Chevy on February 20, 2015, 11:59:08 am

Thanks.  I've thought it was a bad connection somewhere all along based on how it acts, just haven't been able to pin down the issue.  I'll look around at the starter area.  Not sure how to check if something is grounded but one step at a time.

Quote from: Irish_Alley on February 19, 2015, 08:34:52 pm

not to distract you from what capt is saying but it could be a lose connection at the starter also