Starter Problem

Pawdaddy · Dec 9, 2019

Hello, I'm new to this forum, and I've got a problem.
My 2004 5.3L Tahoe has a problem I've never encountered before. When i try to start it, it clicks like the battery is almost dead, then it will do the slow death roll, and finally spin fast enough for it to crank, and the whole time I never let off the key until it cranks. I thought it may be the battery, but went a week without trying to start it expecting to have to jump it off. Put the key in and it went through it's ritual and started. Does anybody have any ideas or tests I can do to find out what's the problem?

BG1988 · Dec 9, 2019

bad connection have you checked the wires ? to and from the starter?

that or the starter needs replacement

PA-WOODCHUCK · Dec 9, 2019

test the battery is the first step.

Joseph Garcia · Dec 9, 2019

Welcome to the Forum!

Check all of your grounds in that circuit, to ensure that the connections are clean and tight, in addition to checking the battery.

Doubeleive · Dec 9, 2019

like the others said, first check your battery cables/grounds (do the same for the starter cables making sure the battery is disconnected first-wire is hot at the starter 24/7), this means disconnect them and clean them even if the look ok.
if there is no immediate difference then go to any auto parts store, sears, etc and ask to have your battery load tested.
if the battery passes then it's likely the starter is kaput

OR VietVet · Dec 9, 2019

Basics first. Check all cables and tightness at connections. How old is the battery? What is your alt output under a load condition? Do you know if the starter is original?

ks03 · Dec 9, 2019

I’ve seen a number of vehicles do this when the battery has a bad cell. Checking battery voltage with the engine off would tell you pretty quick if it’s the case

rockola1971 · Dec 11, 2019

If it were me id remove battery and put it on a charger overnight then have it load tested. If it passes then id goto all battery wires at the battery and connections at the starter and ground wire at the engine block and check for tightness and corrosion an clean or tighten if needed then test to see if problem is gone. If not then take starter off and have checked out. It could be the solenoid has burnt contacts.

Pawdaddy · Jan 9, 2020

BG1988 said:
bad connection have you checked the wires ? to and from the starter?

that or the starter needs replacement

Pawdaddy · Jan 9, 2020

Went out to crank it, no problem. It started perfectly fine as if no problem ever existed. I've had the battery checked 3 different times. NAPA said battery was good. Autozone said it was bad, needed replaced. Advance said battery was good, needed full charge, and to check ground wires (which I had already pulled and cleaned) and pull off the starter to get it checked. 71 years old is kinda tough to pull a starter to get it checked, but will do it 1st good day of weather we have.

Starter Problem

Pawdaddy

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BG1988

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PA-WOODCHUCK

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Joseph Garcia

Doubeleive

Wes

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

ks03

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rockola1971

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Pawdaddy

TYF Newbie

Pawdaddy

TYF Newbie

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