Intermittent dying then no crank for random lengths of time

[bobgto65]

The starter issue won;t explain why the car dies when driving it. And it should not keep the starter from turning the car over. You could try a jumper cable from the positive terminal on the engine fuse block direct to the solenoid and see if that doees the trick. If not, then the solenopid could be bad.

[1oldman]

JMHO - You could have two or three issues each masking the other. 1)You need to get a load test done on the battery. 2) Clean the battery terminals. See if you can inspect the battery cables underneath the sheath that covers the cables. They may appear to be good, but under the sheath they are not. 3) Check the grounds on the ground buss Andrew can tell more about this than I can. 4) Check the ground on the ICM. I think it's held by one of the nuts that holds the bracket for the ICM to sit on.

I'm new to the 2000+ cars, but I fought a similar issue on my old '92. It was actually 4 different things combined. 1-battery(marginal load test), 2-battery cables(corrosion inside the sheath), 3-battery cable terminal(wouldn't stay torqued to battery terminal), 4-loose battery cable on the starter. I replaced all of the items (battery, battery cables, battery cable bolts), and used a very small amount of green loc-tite (let it dry before securing) on the battery terminal bolts - BC

[jchopo01]

I jumped the solenoid with the key on and it did not start. So something else has to be preventing it from starting right? When the key is turned to start it the accy relay clicks off but the starter relay does not. Tried switching them also with no change. I am changing the crank sensor tomorrow. Battery and main cables are good with no corrosion.

[1oldman]

What part of the USA do you hold forth? city & state - BC

[jchopo01]

Luther, MI

[1oldman]

Luther, MI

I was hoping you were kind of close to me so that the little skill I have might be of some use to you. I have a friend that lives in Mount Pleasant. Unfortunately, he's not into cars. I personally don't know what else to suggest without "laying hands" on the car. I personally think it's a loose connection somewhere because of all the parts you've changed, but then, I'm no expert either. Hopefully someone will be able to give you the help you need and help you get the car repaired. It would be a good learning experience for you. - BC

[jchopo01]

Thanks. I am pretty good at fixing cars and electrical systems but this is the first GM I've owned. I know Fords in and out but this is new to me. I had a Chrysler New Yorker that had a bad crank sensor that wouldn't allow the car to roll over and it was intermittent also but from what I understand a bad cps on this car would still alloe it to crank.

[jchopo01]

Update: I have come to the conclusion this is an electrical issue. The battery ground was rusty. Little corrosion where the connector is crimped to the wire but not bad. Cleaned it up and it started right up. Put it all back together then it wouldn't start. Put the battery charger back on and it starts fine. Got the battery tested. Pulling down 831 CCA @ 12.6 volts. Not the battery. Any ideas? Starts everytime on 125 amp boost and after five mintues on 15 amp charging but won't restart until it charges for a few mintues. Charging system is good on the car. Cleaned other grounds and positive xonnections I could find. Am I missing something here? Why did GM put the battery under the seat? Seems like running DC power that much farther is just leading to problems.

[jchopo01]

Okay so I believe the battery cable to the front junction is bad because if I use the charger it starts fine. And I also jumped from the battery to the junction box with jumpers and it started. I just find it weird that it could be. How long is the cable?

[cooljoe51]

It was a notorious problem on the Series I motors. I had to do mine in my 92. I'd definitely suggest that route.

[Archon]

Okay so I believe the battery cable to the front junction is bad because if I use the charger it starts fine. And I also jumped from the battery to the junction box with jumpers and it started. I just find it weird that it could be. How long is the cable?

Send a PM to Harofreak00. He may have one.