Expert: Robert Summers - 5/7/2008

Question
I've got an 89 suburban, 4wd, 350. The other day after driving it all morning I went out to leave, turned the key and nothing. No click, nothing. Everything else worked. The battery is fairly new. After about 30 more minutes it started up just fine. This seemed like classic starter death to me. I've replaced the starter on this thing about 6 times over the years and this is how it always started. So I replaced the starter and everything was fine. Then the next day the same thing happened. Did I get a bad starter from the parts store? What else should I check for interminent starter failure that occurs when the engine is hot? I've read about fuseable links. How do I check them? Thanks for any ideas you may have.

Answer
Hi Tom.... check connections at the starter and battery for corrosion. to check fuse links try pulling on them. usually if they are bad they will pull apart without much effort... i have found over the years that the biggest problem is the side term connection at the battery... also try moving shifter around when that happens, maybe the park switch is a little out of adjustment... hope this helps