97 Sierra Starting Problems

[Cyclonus]

97 Sierra fails to start most of the time. What I do to see if it's going to start or not cost me a starter..

 

Turn the key over, not enough to kick off the starter, but just to see the dash lights, 90% of the time, I can do this and no dash lights kick in. after a few tries they sometimes come on, and i know i can turn over the engine and it will start. So I get in my truck, turn the key over and over and over ( without engaging starter ) and the lights will eventually show and it always starts, but it's taken 20minutes before.

 

What I've replaced

Frayed Battery Cable from Battery to Fuse Box. I didn't get the perfect cable, and my shop tech said it should be okay, but they put little washers in there because it wasn't lining up perfectly with the other positive battery cable ( there's 2 + the little one to the alternator ).

- Fuel Pump

- Starter

- Spark Plugs about 2 years ago, less than 6km driven since.

- Battery

 

I've also got an external battery charger that tells me the battery is fully charged, so I don't think the alternator is failing. I'm thinking it could be the hacky new battery cable. What do you guys think?

[Duelin]

I would start at the battery and do a voltage check back to the ignition switch. If you have voltage to the switch but not coming out then the switch is bad.

[1997SierraSLT]

that special spacer on the post between the two terminal cables coming off the positive side of the battery is a must and needs to be of ample thickness. If not, the rubber housing around each cable is just thick enough to prevent the terminals from making sufficient contact with post.

[lee123]

I had a 06 Tahoe,wouldnt start, had it towed home, put a starter on it started fine for a week, then same problem; there is another positive cable, mine was fine but the terminal was corroded. cleaned it up, never had another problem. didnt need starter.