Expert: Mark Bisig - 11/26/2005

Question
Hi Mark,
I know you are a Chevy guy, but I have a GMC question that I hope you can help with!  My 2002 Savanna (3500, gas engine) will not always start on the first try.  The battery is less than 6 mos. old, the voltage meter gets up to almost 14, and the cables aren't loose.  The problem is worse after the van has been sitting for a few hours.  When I turn the key, I hear a single TICK, then nothing.  After a few tries, it starts normally, SO FAR!  This morning took about 10 tries, over about 10 minutes.  The check engine light isn't on, so Autozone can't do a diagnostic for me.  Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Robin

Answer
Hi Robin, The first thing to do is remove both battery cables from the battery and look at them. Make sure there isn't any thing there but clean metal!! If this checks good then check to make the connections at the starter are TIGHT and just loose making contact when they feel like like it. If this is good too then youi need to have someone with a test light at the starter and see if the power is going away after the TICK noise. Should have power on the small purple wire and the large red wire. If you have power all the time, replace the starter

Hope this helps


Mark