starting issue - battery is good?

Hi there, I am having problems starting my 99 GCL sometimes. I turn the key, nothing, no turning over, yet all the lights, etc are working. I try it again, and most the time it works. It's as if the turning the key isn't contacting the necessary piece (?) consistently. This am it took 5 tries before it worked. Any ideas?

Sounds like the starter motor is bad.
Although no sound also implicates the starter solenoid.
[a single click with a good battery would eliminate the solenoid]
In either case, take a look at the starter and make sure that there is no corrosion around the main power cables.
Soak them in water mixed with baking soda if they are corroded.

AutoZone and others sell “Lifetime” starters for $40-$70.
This is a very easy install on both the V8 and the 6.
I never liked the fact that the oil runs over the starter when the filter is removed [V8’s].
Something is not allowing the electric starter motor to turn.
If the battery is fine, the key switch is fine, then it probably is the starter.
I did not look to see if there is a starter relay.
The starter relay may or may not have been replaced with anti-theft devices.

Hi there, I am having problems starting my 99 GCL sometimes. I turn the key, nothing, no turning over, yet all the lights, etc are working. I try it again, and most the time it works. It's as if the turning the key isn't contacting the necessary piece (?) consistently. This am it took 5 tries before it worked. Any ideas?


HI, IT COULD BE YOUR IGNITION SWITCH. FIRST I WOULD CHECK THE TERMINALS ON THE BATTERY. CLEAN AND CHRECK GOOD CHECK ALL YOUR GROUND WIRES ALSO DON'T KNOW THE YEAR OF VEHICLE IF INTHE EARLY 90'S OR LATE 80'S YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CHANGING THE CABLES. THEY MAY BE CORROIDED INSIDE CAUSING VOLTAGE LOSSCHECK THE GROUND CABLE AT THE ENGINE BLOCK ALSO. HOPE THIS IS OF HELP DALE [email protected] :smokin:

Have you tried starting it in Neural or wiggling the shifter?

Sounds like the starter motor is bad.
Although no sound also implicates the starter solenoid.
[a single click with a good battery would eliminate the solenoid]
In either case, take a look at the starter and make sure that there is no corrosion around the main power cables.
Soak them in water mixed with baking soda if they are corroded.

AutoZone and others sell “Lifetime” starters for $40-$70.
This is a very easy install on both the V8 and the 6.
I never liked the fact that the oil runs over the starter when the filter is removed [V8’s].
Something is not allowing the electric starter motor to turn.
If the battery is fine, the key switch is fine, then it probably is the starter.
I did not look to see if there is a starter relay.
The starter relay may or may not have been replaced with anti-theft devices.

Thank you for your help. I did take it in last night to the dealership and they said it was the battery. Funny, because when it does turn over it catches very quickly. I think it would be more like a starter issue. Does this sound right to you? Thanks again Cheryl

I may have been the battery in your key, some of those have a chip for security.

if it was the security key, the engine would start up for a few seconds and shut off. then it flashes the lights or something