Viper31

My tow rig decided it did not want to start over the weekend. It is an 02' 3500 with 8.1 and Allison, about 30k miles. Drove it to my buddies house and it happened all the sudden. When you turn the key to start you get nothing. You can hear fuel pump run and starter relay in the fuse box click, but it seems the starter will not engage. Batt is good and I verified that there is voltage to the starter and solenoid. Anyone experience this problem before?

Wobble

Using a test light, do you get a signal to the small terminal on the starter solenoid when the key is turned to the crank position? If yes then it's the starter or starter solenoid, if not then it may be the keyswitch.

Tow-N-One

Also is the security light is flashing after a starting attempt, then there is an issue with the theft deterant system.

Wobble

Good point and real common problem especially with after market alarms

Viper31

Wobble, Thanks - There is voltage to the solenoid when key is in crank postion.

Airpacker

whack it with a hammer while holding it in crank. If it starts, do not shut it off until you get it to where you are going to do the starter.

Viper31

Hammer whack was first thing I tried. I will pull starter off tomorrow and bench test it. I can't even remember the last time I had a starter failure. I know some will be give me $h!t but I have owned 4 Ford trucks in the last 15 years and none of them ever left me stranded. This is my first and maybe last Chevy truck.

bob_t

My (first and last) Chevy truck, 2001 2500HD did the same thing 2 years ago. Replaced the starter and the problem stopped. Had more *stupid* kind of problems with this truck than all of my previous Fords, combined. Don't know if I got lucky with the Fords I had, or just really unlucky with this POS.

Jassman

can't be so...not a Chevy...they never brake and whoop dem Ford's butt all the time.

Viper31

Replaced the starter and now I'm back in action. I'm just glad this did not happen while trailering. Of course the transfer case defect will probably show up while I'm towing