Delayed Start

[socaljohn]

My '98 has not been spinning over immediately when turning the key. Sometimes it will take a half second or so, sometimes a couple seconds. Started this problem a few months back so I replaced the battery since the terminals were badly corroded, and have been for a couple years. Got new cable ends from the dealer as well. I was pretty sure this would fix the issue but not so.

I'm now thinking starter contacts but in reading about those symptoms, most say they get a clicking noise when trying to start, but I do not. There is no noise at all. Just turn the key and hold it, and it will spin over after a short delay. Once turning it starts right up. Doesn't do this every time, but getting more frequent.

Anyone have this symptom when the starter contacts needed replacing?

 

[sggaz]

I think you are on the right track with the starter. I would turn the key and hear one brief click and then nothing. Turn key off and try it again and it would start. It was somewhat intermittent but once we swapped the starter it was gone for good.

 

[socaljohn]

Thanks for the reply, gaz. I think I just have to bite the bullet and remove the starter, give it a once over and decide how to proceed. Wonder if there is any way to tell the date of manufacture of the starter? I'd hate to replace the contacts and have the starter fail six months later. Don't know the history of the truck but at 180xxx miles wouldn't think this would be the original starter.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Thanks for the reply, gaz. I think I just have to bite the bullet and remove the starter, give it a once over and decide how to proceed. Wonder if there is any way to tell the date of manufacture of the starter? I'd hate to replace the contacts and have the starter fail six months later. Don't know the history of the truck but at 180xxx miles wouldn't think this would be the original starter.

I could be original, I did my contacts at 170 or so, really depends on the usage of the previous owner. The starters don't really fail, just do the contacts!

 

[jeremyc74]

Is this a manual transmission or auto? If it's a manual you might want to take a look at the clutch switch before you start tearing into the starter just to make sure it isn't sticky. If it's an auto I'd say you're on the right track.

 

[Idle Beak]

I have a similar issue with my rig where sometimes it takes a second or two to actually fire, but as soon as I turn the key it cranks. I have never had it not start. I think that there is a bad check valve in the fuel system that's going bad. I'm just going to let it keep going until it fails.

 

[socaljohn]

Hey Engineer, thanks for the advice. Good to hear the starters are pretty much bulletproof. I'll take it out this weekend with the intention of doing contacts only.

Jeremy it is an auto, and although I'm really pleased with the performance of the trans, I'm always on the lookout for a deal on a manual.

Funny thing is, since I've posted for advice on this forum, the starter has been working great. I'm tempted to just let it go till it fails also, but rather work on it in my driveway than risk a flameout in BFE. I've got other stuff to drive if it has to sit for a while waiting on parts.

 

[nc-grayson]

I have similar problems lately. I'm going to go ahead and assume it's the contacts, but it's strange because the first start of the day always fires right up. If I drive around and park somewhere to run some errands, inevitably when I return its a very delayed start. If the truck is parked for more than a few hours and completely cools down, it'll fire right up like the first start of the day. ONLY after having recently been in and driven does it take a long time to re-start. The other day it got real stressful when it wouldn't roll over the second time around at all....I it sputtered and died like it wasn't getting fuel. It only started that time when I gave it gas while starting. That was only once though....my main issue is rough starts on a warm car

 

[Kyngfish]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but were you able to fix this? Was it the contacts/starter? I'm also getting this weird thing, intermittently, where I turn the key and literally nothing at all happens, and then it starts cranking after a slight delay.

 

[mtbtim]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but were you able to fix this? Was it the contacts/starter? I'm also getting this weird thing, intermittently, where I turn the key and literally nothing at all happens, and then it starts cranking after a slight delay.

It's a good chance it's your contacts or a bad connection. Do the easy things first. Check your battery connections and make sure they are clean and not corroded. Go to a auto parts store and have them test your battery for free to make sure it's good. Check your battery ground to the body, and check the connection at the starter. If all that looks good, I'd then pull the starter and suspect worn contacts.

Here's a video that may help you out with the job:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WV1t5-wcoOI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[gamefreakgc]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but were you able to fix this? Was it the contacts/starter? I'm also getting this weird thing, intermittently, where I turn the key and literally nothing at all happens, and then it starts cranking after a slight delay.

Starter contacts. You still have enough material that it's BARELY contacting but will leave you stranded over time. The definitely have a lifespan, it's usually about 200k miles though!

 

[Kyngfish]

It's a good chance it's your contacts or a bad connection. Do the easy things first. Check your battery connections and make sure they are clean and not corroded. Go to a auto parts store and have them test your battery for free to make sure it's good. Check your battery ground to the body, and check the connection at the starter. If all that looks good, I'd then pull the starter and suspect worn contacts.

Here's a video that may help you out with the job:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WV1t5-wcoOI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Figured this might be it. Battery is about a year old, and I have done the corrosion thing. Will check grounds and see if something is loose. Don't really want to do the contacts, but I guess that was next on the list. Anyone have any feedback on the kits on ebay? The OEM parts used to be fairly cheap, but now I'm seeing them equal close to what another starter costs.

 

[Kyngfish]

Starter contacts. You still have enough material that it's BARELY contacting but will leave you stranded over time. The definitely have a lifespan, it's usually about 200k miles though!

My truck has 160...

 

[mtbtim]

Figured this might be it. Battery is about a year old, and I have done the corrosion thing. Will check grounds and see if something is loose. Don't really want to do the contacts, but I guess that was next on the list. Anyone have any feedback on the kits on ebay? The OEM parts used to be fairly cheap, but now I'm seeing them equal close to what another starter costs.

We provide a link to a kit on Ebay in the video description. They work fine.

 

[mtbtim]

Starter contacts. You still have enough material that it's BARELY contacting but will leave you stranded over time. The definitely have a lifespan, it's usually about 200k miles though!

The mileage the starter contacts require replacing is going to vary greatly based on how the rig was driven. A rig driven around town by a soccer mom with a lots of stops and starts running kids to school and running errands is going to wear out the contacts much quicker than a rig used for a long commute. The contacts on my 2000 were worn out at around 150k.

 

[phattyduck]

The contacts on my 2000 were worn out at around 150k.

I just did the second round at 285k. The first time the contacts failed and welded themselves in the ON position, I'd have to look at the maintenance book to see when that was...

-Charlie

 

[mtbtim]

I just did the second round at 285k. The first time the contacts failed and welded themselves in the ON position, I'd have to look at the maintenance book to see when that was...

-Charlie

Mine did the same thing. Luckily I was at home when it happened. I had to run into the garage and get a wrench to disconnect the negative battery cable to stop the starter.

 

[Kyngfish]

Mine did the same thing. Luckily I was at home when it happened. I had to run into the garage and get a wrench to disconnect the negative battery cable to stop the starter.

What’s the word on the eBay kits? The OEM parts seem pretty pricey for what they are

 

[mtbtim]

What’s the word on the eBay kits? The OEM parts seem pretty pricey for what they are

I guess you missed Post #14, the Ebay kits work fine. Many people have used them with success. We provide a link in the video description for a set that worked in [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] rig.

 

[Kyngfish]

I guess you missed Post #14, the Ebay kits work fine. Many people have used them with success. We provide a link in the video description for a set that worked in [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] rig.

I sure did man. Thanks!