Starting Surge

[RAWVORTEC]

I would say about 50% of the time my 99 tahoe will act as if the battery is dying while starting. I turn the key, and it lugs along trying to start. But then I know it's not the battery because it'll be fine other times. Is this a starter issue?

 

[ISU-152]

Check all the battery/alternator and starter cables/wires for corrosion. If in doubt sand them down with some paper anyways.

I'm making everyone's life so easy tonight

 

[ISU-152]

Highly doubt it's your starter though. Usually the starter solenoid goes before anything. Again check cables or your battery/alternator on the fritz. All 3 easily replaced on the 99 though

 

[iamdub]

^^^What he said. The side posts are notorious for working loose, grounds corrode, etc. A loose connection won't pass enough current to keep the voltage sufficient on high-amperage loads (the starter is the biggest current draw). It may very well be an intermittently loose connection at the battery, the starter, on the frame, etc.

 

[ISU-152]

^^^What he said. The side posts are notorious for working loose, grounds corrode, etc. A loose connection won't pass enough current to keep the voltage sufficient on high-amperage loads (the starter is the biggest current draw). It may very well be an intermittently loose connection at the battery, the starter, on the frame, etc.

I changed my starter about 4 years ago and couldn't get the damn pos wire off so I just cut it. Only wire I had around was some 1gauge amp/power wire. Still fine

 

[RAWVORTEC]

Alright thank you gentlemen! Ill check this out later today. Where will the grounds be at on a 99 4 door?

 

[iamdub]

I don't know specifically where they're located, but they should be easy to spot. Start at the negative post on the battery and follow the big cable to wherever it goes, which should be somewhere on the frame. There should be some other large cable(s) running from the frame to the engine block. The starter gets it's ground through being bolted to the engine block. Check the large cable from the positive battery post to the post on the starter. Make sure the connection is clean and tight on both ends and that the cable isn't corroded anywhere.

 

[RAWVORTEC]

Ok thanks for the info guys! Best forum there is!lol

 

[RAWVORTEC]

I checked all of the grounds and they were all connected. When i went to start it, it only clicked once. Then it started right up when i turned the key again.

 

[iamdub]

"Connected" as in "appeared to be touching the frame or terminal or ____"? Or "connected" as in "clean and solid connection with no corrosion, etc."?

Did you check the positive cable from the battery to the starter at both ends? Unscrew the battery posts and check for tightness and corrosion between the contacting surfaces? Keep in mind you will lose your radio settings, so write them down if this is a concern.