1999 astro van 4.3L starter disengaging prematurely

Asked by GuruLT2XD Mar 30, 2019 at 02:13 PM about the 1999 Chevrolet Astro

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

When i try to start it..it starts to roll over for 1-2 sec then starter disengages.
Battery is good, wiring is good. Even removed the solenoid and held the fork
by hand ( i know dangerous) and it does the same thing. when tested it acts
normal until its installed. Im stumped, any ideas?

1 Answer

26,640

Make sure battery has a full charge and connections all good. Note the diagram. See the relay, unplug it, use test light, between the two cavities on the control side of relay, the control side is left side in the diagram. The test light should stay on as long as the key is in the crank position. If it does, the control side of relay should be fine. Yes, you need a helper to turn the key. If the lite stays on, have to check switch side of relay, right side in diagram. The top wire on that side is hot all the time and fuse protected. The two wires on top of starter motor, One is hot all the time, the other goes hot when relay is energized. The starter motor grounds through engine block. So if good voltage circuits and ground at the starter motor and the motor stops after a couple seconds, I'd have to suspect the starter motor. Any testing at starter motor, make sure transmission is in park or neutral and parking brake is set. Make sure vehicle can't move. I can only help with testing.

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