[vncj96]

Never had a problem with this truck. Wife went to leave work and truck won't start. Every assecory works fine I can turn the heater on, the radio and operate just fine there is just a click, my guess is the starter, I know how to test it but is there a way to test the actual starter relay if per chance the starter will turn when I connect it to a battery tomorrow. I am also gonna give it the old hammer test as well, the starter that is. Any other suggestions appreciated!

 

[stephan]

Yep, I'd give the starter solonoid the hammer test. I've seen them stick once, & then work for 4 or 5 more years. Have your wife hold the key in the crank position while you smack it. Just be carefull you hit it near the middle where it's steel & not near the front where many of them have a plastic cover.

 

[2COR517]

The hammer trick is not really recommended. The starter magnets are ceramic, and easily broken. You can short the pins in the relay socket to verify it's not the problem. Top right and lower left. Just a piece of wire is fine, I use a modified cotter pin.

 

[Revredneck]

What year and engine? If it's an older truck with a 350, the hammer test won't hurt a thing. If it's a newer model with the PM-GR (translated "small") starter, then you'd better be real careful with a hammer.
Good Luck and God Bless

 

[vncj96]

Well the hammer trick worked perfectly, got the truck home and a new starter installed.

 

[phoebeisis]

What is this hammer trick?
Is something physically stuck and needs the jarring of a hammer hitting metal to snap it loose?
What exactly is stuck?
Thanks
Charlie
PS I have a new-cheapo ebay- starter next to this desk for the last 6 months.The Suburban will sometimes turn over very slowly when it is hot

 

[Falcone]

i belive the solinoid just doesn't kick out the gear properly and it gets stuck, and this helps it out. I though I was having a problem something like this on my old somona, the hammer trick worked, but then I just tried moving the power feed and it would work too. Somthing was a little loose inside of the cap and required just a slight jiggle. Was a piss off for the last 2 months I owned it, but wasn't about to fix it.

 

[DrewLL66]

def the solenoid