Questions and Answers

Chevy Suburban No Start Q. I Have a 1995 Chevy Suburban, 350 TBI, 2WD 1500, 120,000 miles. Vehicle started four different times within the day and three times in the last hour before the problem presented itself. Problem: I turn the key to start and only get a "click". At best I can tell, this is the starter solenoid. When tried with lights ON, the same sound, with no change in the brightness of the headlamps.

I thought it was for sure the starter. Changed the starter and received the same results. I tested the old starter, by grounding the starter to the negative of the battery and connecting the positive to the solenoid. Then jumped it with a screw driver, the old starter spun right up.

Battery shows 12.6 VDC with no load. Is it possible for the battery to have lost a cell or something, but still have good voltage with no cranking amps? Any idea where I should go from here?

Thanks,
Philip

A. Remove both cables from the battery and look at both cable ends for corrosion. My guess is the positive has heavy corrosion from a previous leaking battery. If it's all covered with corrosion, it may not unscrew from battery. If so, you will need a new positive cable. The acid leaks down the cable and creates high resistance in the starter circuit.