[Maniwi]

I have a 95 Silverado 1500
It has the 5.7 with just over 200k on it.
My issue is in the way it starts. Sometimes when I start it, its sluggish turning over. Once it fires up there is no issues at all. Runs fantastic.
This started about a year ago. I put a new battery in, it did nothing to help.
This problem will occur randomly. Doesn't matter if its the first start of the day or if I've been cruising around all day long. The outside temperature doesn't effect how random it occurs either. Any suggestions?

 

[jasons99hoe]

start by checking all cables and connections. I understand people are on a budget but replacing grounds and power cables on a 23 year old vehicle is always a good idea. check fuel pressure. did you replace distributor recently?

 

[WorthFlorida]

Was the fuel filter every changed? I opened one on my Astro van with no problem with about 100,000 miles on it. You wouldn't believe it and I was amazed how fuel could every past throught it.

There was a post here about a year ago and a mechanic had the trouble shooting chart. There are about 20 items that can be the cause. Fuel pump, TPS, MAF sensor, oxygen sensor, etc.

 

[thegawd]

My 97 burb would do that randomly for a while... it wouldn't hardly turn at all if it was on an incline facing up. In my quest of fixing it over the course of a couple years i changed a few parts... replaced a perfectly good interstate green top with a blck top battery, the starter relay, cleaned every battery n wire connection, upgraded all the ground straps to 4 gauge insulated wires, things improved but didnt really fix it. I always suspected the starter but i didnt want to replace it with a rebuilt or a cheap one n a good one was outta my price range. A few months ago my starter stopped turning all together, i could get it to work by smacking the starter solenoid. I replaced the solenoid which was under $20 and fixed all those random starting problems. The burb starts better and stronger than it ever did plus i still have my oem starter.

Al

 

[Maniwi]

I put a new fuel filter on it about a month ago. No change in behavior.
Jason, are you suggesting battery cables/connections? They are all in immaculate condition.
Is a fuel pressure check something done at home or by a professional?

 

[Cowboytrukr]

You can check it at home, but you need the proper test kit. Auto Zone or O’Reilly’s has one for rent. You buy it and they refund your money. Make sure you ask for a GM TBI pressure tester.

It can either be done inline downstream of the filter, or by inserting in the supply feed of the throttle body.

If you’re looking to purchase, look for an Actron CP7817.

 

[RayVoy]

Assuming there are no major engine modifications, usually, the cause of slow engine turning while under control of the starter is one of three things.
Battery
Battery cable/ground condition
Starter

 

[csoldfield]

How old is your starter motor (solenoid)? I've had to replace mine on my '94 because it failed, roughly 200k. I believe each start can potentially pick a different spot on the solenoid contacts. Pulled my old minivan one apart to reveal an extremely deteriorated ring/contact, under 100k miles

thegawd/Al may be onto something above

 

[j cat]

slow crank at times will be an electrical issue. I would drop starter motor clean up all the electrical connections including the one that has no wire but the connection from motor to solenoid. then install see if it cranks faster. starter drive bearing wear also.

another cause as engine wears the crankshaft will drop down slightly then the starter drive gear will get too close to the starter . with flywheel cover off check the space between the fly teeth and the start teeth should be .125 .145 inch gap.. disable the PCM so engine will not start crank a few times to check out the gap.. use shims to increase gap.

 

[jasons99hoe]

My 97 burb would do that randomly for a while... it wouldn't hardly turn at all if it was on an incline facing up. In my quest of fixing it over the course of a couple years i changed a few parts... replaced a perfectly good interstate green top with a blck top battery, the starter relay, cleaned every battery n wire connection, upgraded all the ground straps to 4 gauge insulated wires, things improved but didnt really fix it. I always suspected the starter but i didnt want to replace it with a rebuilt or a cheap one n a good one was outta my price range. A few months ago my starter stopped turning all together, i could get it to work by smacking the starter solenoid. I replaced the solenoid which was under $20 and fixed all those random starting problems. The burb starts better and stronger than it ever did plus i still have my oem starter.

Al

same thing happened to me. exactly

 

[jasons99hoe]

I put a new fuel filter on it about a month ago. No change in behavior.
Jason, are you suggesting battery cables/connections? They are all in immaculate condition.
Is a fuel pressure check something done at home or by a professional?

yea thats what i was getting at. as all thhese other guys are saying is about all i can think of as well. your on the right path. one thing at a time

 

[Maniwi]

Well I think I'm going to replace the starter as well as the solenoid while I'm at it.
Any body have thoughts on direct drive vs gear reduction starters?
I realize there is a significant price difference but are there any other pros/cons I should know? All I care about is the truck starting normally in stead of sluggishly.

PS
Since my first post about this problem two weeks ago its started fine about 90% of the time.
It all seems weird to me....

 

[RayVoy]

Fuel filters and fuel pressure, spark plugs and wires will not slow down the crank speed. It might slow down the starting of the engine; but not the crank speed.

Two things will (as @j cat said) slow the speed; lower than required electrical voltage and/or mechanical drag.

If the problem goes away after a good rain, suspect electrical (wet connections are usually lower resistance)

If the problem goes away with warmer weather it could be mechanical or electrical

 

[xPosTech]

Ignition advanced too far will do it, too. But then it would be sluggish all the time. I'd pull the starter and remove the solenoid to check the big brass washer and the two contacts at the end of travel. That washer is designed to slightly rotate to keep from burning holes in the washer. It there's burned places it would only spin sluggishly when the burned spots met the two contacts. Remove and flip the washer over so the fresh surface will meet the two contacts. The solenoid can now pass the current the starter needs. Put the solenoid back on the starter and the starter back in the truck.

Now go get at least a new solenoid. Get a new starter only if you're psychic and know the starter is bad too.

Ted

 

[xPosTech]

Those geared high torque starters are for high displacement lopey-cammed engines with high compression. How many million trucks do you think standard starters reliably start day after day?

Ted

 

[jasons99hoe]

Well I think I'm going to replace the starter as well as the solenoid while I'm at it.
Any body have thoughts on direct drive vs gear reduction starters?
I realize there is a significant price difference but are there any other pros/cons I should know? All I care about is the truck starting normally in stead of sluggishly.

PS
Since my first post about this problem two weeks ago its started fine about 90% of the time.
It all seems weird to me....

use a stock starter. don't buy the autozone brand if you can. try to get the brand that came on the truck. I don't like re-manned starters or alternators but that's my opinion. no need for gear reduction you don't have a high compression or race motor

 

[j cat]

Well I think I'm going to replace the starter as well as the solenoid while I'm at it.
Any body have thoughts on direct drive vs gear reduction starters?
I realize there is a significant price difference but are there any other pros/cons I should know? All I care about is the truck starting normally in stead of sluggishly.

PS
Since my first post about this problem two weeks ago its started fine about 90% of the time.
It all seems weird to me....

Your comment "Jason, are you suggesting battery cables/connections? They are all in immaculate condition"

That is so funny on that comment ... so you polish the 1995 wires , but did not remove and clean the electrical connections? because YOU never stated YOU DID clean and check the wire fasteners torque etc....

just buy a new starter comes complete ,then you will probably find the bad wiring at the starter or it will not fix it then a battery connection loose or corroded.

best have a repair shop do the repairs IMO...

 

[Maniwi]

What I was saying "jcat" is all the connections/wires are clean and free of any corrosion, grime, etc. No visible nicks,cuts, damage to any wires. Sorry "immaculate condition" was too vague of a term for you. Everything is properly secured as well.

"xPosTech" I was just curious about the hype of those gear reduction starters. When calling around pricing starters a couple place's where trying to sell me those instead. I figured they just wanted to make few extra bucks.