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Car will not start

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Old Aug 21, 2013 | 02:06 AM
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Default Car will not start

I have a 2008 Z51. It would start intermittently and now it won't start at all. I have enevn changed the battery
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Old Aug 21, 2013 | 06:50 AM
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Check the cable going to the solenoid on the starter. It is common for the plastic area where the connection is made to break from the heat.
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Old Aug 21, 2013 | 11:51 AM
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Hey Mike,

Keep us posted on the DIY! Hopefully its a quick fix,

Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 08:16 PM
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We presume you mean "won't crank at all", right?

Do other electrical items like headlights, work ok?
Homeboy's tip is accurate.

There are, unfortunately, a lot of electrical connections in this car. But if it's totally dead, that is usually easier to diagnose than chronic low or intermittent electrical power.
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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 10:13 PM
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I was about to have it towed to the dealership and the tow truck driver tried to start it. He did it in rapidly 5 times and it started right up. So is it possible that it is the starter? If so does anyone know any DIY prodcedures to changing it? Thans guys.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 06:38 AM
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It is an easy change. It is on the passenger side. Lift the front (secure it with something safe like jack stands) and you can easily get to it. If I remember correctly, one bolt takes time to remove and re-install. Just due to angle and location. Smaller fingers may help. Not a hard job though.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 12:14 PM
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It may be the starter, but this is not the most common or likely culprit for this behavior so don't go throwing $300 parts at it until you are sure what is really wrong.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by cclive
It may be the starter, but this is not the most common or likely culprit for this behavior so don't go throwing $300 parts at it until you are sure what is really wrong.
Even new batteries can have a low charge or can be defective. Have a load test done on it. It's the only way to know if it's good. Most auto parts stores will do it for free.

Last edited by VET4LES; Aug 24, 2013 at 09:19 AM.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:13 PM
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Default starter problems

My 2007 C6 started having problems about 6 months ago just sometimes it would start sometimes not. When I hit the starter button everything shut off, then about 5 seconds later it would power up again. If I was lucky it would start. Finally two weeks ago it would not start or jump start. Had it towed to La Quinta Chev. They found the problem to be the starter burned up along with the wire from the battery to the starter. They said the post on the starter had broken which caused the arc and problem.

$477 for starter $125 for the wire and 3 hours labor to replace the started.

Did I get screwed or does it really take 3 hours to change a starter.
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 12:47 AM
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The Bakelite on the solenoid has probably cracked/split/broken.
Any decent auto electrical repair shop can replace the solenoid in 10 minutes for $30-40. You can R&R the starter on jackstands in less than 2 hours. It's pretty simple.
It seems there have been a rash of these lately, maybe due to the hot weather and hotter exhaust right next to the starter.
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 06:25 AM
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$477 for starter $125 for the wire and 3 hours labor to replace the started.

Did I get screwed or does it really take 3 hours to change a starter.
That is very high. I bought a new starter for a 99 Tahoe, replaced the connector at end of wire to fit new starter. I had old starter out and new in, within 15-30 min. Done.
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 09:21 PM
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That was it the solenoid was cracked
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