1988 Chevy C30 based RV w/5.7 & EFI that will not turnover and start

[DougCP]

My RV will not turnover and start. When I turn key, it clicks once and
acts like it wants to turnover but can't. There is no repeat clicking.
Battery is only 3 yrs old, didn't any lights on and I have found no
evidence of other electric system drain. Headlights appear strong when
turned on. It had done this to me a couple time in the past. Where it would hesitate to start, but then start, after a few mins of waiting,
to turn key again and try and start.

With intermittent nature of problem, I suspected a flat spot in the
starter. Despite the fact, the starter was replaced 5 years ago, by
new AC Delco starter(supossedly, I paid the cost of new), along with
the ignition switch. I have heard GM starters go bad due to, being near the heat of the exhaust pipe.

I also noticed a lose battery cable thick wire, with blue insolution at each end, attached to the firewall and hanging lose. This obviously
does not seem right. Any ideas of what this wire does, or how or why it would be lose like that? I will attach a few photos, for members to see.
Any suggestions on how to get to turnover, so I can drive to repair shop.

[Senior Chief]

Do you have a generator? The generator needs a battery to start; it may have been connected to the chassis battery.

Have you carefully checked the ground connection?

[fletch460]

#1. Blue wire attached to firewall should be a ground.
#2. Gmc starter solonoids go bad easy. Last resort, pull starter. Only two bolts on GM
#3 Other blue wire may be house batt. conn for boost. Dont know if that coach has one.
If headlights go dim when you hit the starter, clean and reattch grounds and Pos leads. After it clicks and doesn't do it again, crawl under and jump across the big leads on sol. If it starts, its sol. Probably a chevvy pro will jump in. Luck to ya

[DougCP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief Do you have a generator? The generator needs a battery to start; it may have been connected to the chassis battery. Have you carefully checked the ground connection?

Yes I have a generator. I have not used it in a long time. Sounds like that
wire was not reconnected, when the battery was replaced 3 yrs ago. I would not have noticed, because I have not used generator. But that does not sound like, that is my RV starting problem....oh well.

[Wanabee FTer]

If you just need to get it started to drive it to a repair facility you could try hitting the starter with a hammer to get it started. If this works, do not shut the engine off before you get it to where it needs to be.

[grumpy14]

take ends off battery and clean-may be just corrison

[TXiceman]

Start by cleaning battery terminals and ground connections. Put charger on the battery and make sure it is fully charged. If you still have a problem after this, start checking the starter and even the ignition switch.

Ken

[Campingman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer If you just need to get it started to drive it to a repair facility you could try hitting the starter with a hammer to get it started. If this works, do not shut the engine off before you get it to where it needs to be.

Exactly what I have done numerous times when owning a chevy small block. Also in the end of the solinoid you can take it off and turn the round contact 180 degrees to get contact as good as new. These tend to flat spot. Most people replace when this is all that is needed to fix.

Have someone turning the ignition while you hit the starter several times with a hammer.

Mark

[TXiceman]

Good old "percussive maintenance". If whacking it does not work, you need a bigger hammer.

Ken