my erratic startin S-10, is this a breed problem ya'll?

My 2.2L S refuses to turn over at odd moments, with a full batt charge dash lights illuminated but no starter solenoid click to be heard. I'll turn the ignition to off and back to start repeatedly and after losing my mind she'll suddenly fire her starter and crank up like nothing is the matter.

Just brought her back from the dealership who claims thay can find nothing amiss anywhere in the electrical system. So much for my extended warranty!

I read a bunch of threads here on the forum from other S platform owners who have starting troubles. Mine is the mysterious kind that won't show itself to a mechanic. Sound familiar to any other knuckle busters out there? No one seems to have a fix for this weirdness.

Post some truck info. Year,engine, etc.
I had the same prob. once, turned out to be the battery/starter cable was loose on the starter allowing the cable to contact the other terminal. Wasn't fun tracking down the prob!

Are you familiar w/ testing an elect. system? Check out the ign. switch, clutch switch (or column) and the battery to alternator connection.
These should be done AFTER cleaning all connections first! Clean,clean,clean........

it's a 2000 s-10, 72,000 miles. I dread checking all the contacts cause they're so inaccesible except from below. i need a lift just to take a look. I miss the old days and being able to stand in an engine compartment while I twisted the wrench. Now i get wounded just from changing a battery.

(thanks for the advice, I actually have had a battery choke up with sulfations, belching acid into the engine compartment and corrode a chassis ground, but presently it appears ok, since the charging system would decline from poor grounding.)

it's a 2000 s-10, 72,000 miles. I dread checking all the contacts cause they're so inaccesible except from below. i need a lift just to take a look. I miss the old days and being able to stand in an engine compartment while I twisted the wrench. Now i get wounded just from changing a battery.

(thanks for the advice, I actually have had a battery choke up with sulfations, belching acid into the engine compartment and corrode a chassis ground, but presently it appears ok, since the charging system would decline from poor grounding.)

LOL! Yep I hear ya! I had a '66 Mustang w/ a 289 that was so easy to work on :) Shoulda kept it! Sounds to me like it's more on the ign. switch or starter solenoid side. Have you looked at the relays (located on the engine comp. firewall)? I believe the starter relay is the 3rd one (if counting from pass. fender towards driver fender).

My 1995 had that probelm. Turns out is was a bad check vale in the fuel pump. Had to prime it a few times before it would start

I can't figger this out. I had my wife key the ignition while I listened under the hood. I hear my relays clicking, but again no starter solenoid. After around 10 tries the starter fired. My batt charge remains full, dash voltmeter is at 14.2. And it seems to strike when when the truck is pitched downhill. And this is after the local dealer tests the whole system and can't get her to act up.

I'm going to have to put her out of her misery.

thanks to everyone who gave me me their opinion, i appreciate it.

S

I can't figger this out. I had my wife key the ignition while I listened under the hood. I hear my relays clicking, but again no starter solenoid. After around 10 tries the starter fired. My batt charge remains full, dash voltmeter is at 14.2. And it seems to strike when when the truck is pitched downhill. And this is after the local dealer tests the whole system and can't get her to act up.

I'm going to have to put her out of her misery.

thanks to everyone who gave me me their opinion, i appreciate it.

S

LOL! Out of her misery huh? Try this first...Look at the pos. wire from battery connection at the starter. Make sure it's super tight and that it's not touching the other terminal on the starter. My truck did the EXACT same thing for a couple of days. My pos. cable would move from torque and etc. and touch the purple (wire) connection on the solenoid. Was a simple fix but took some time to track down. Hope it helps!

I had that problem as well. It drove me NUTS i couldn't take it anymore. the one day it even shut off when i was driving and you know what it was? the terminals on the battery. the neg terminal backed out and also the battery mount was loose. after tightening them down i haven't had a problem. e-mail me if you got any other questions.
BTW i have a 2000 2.2L

Took my ailing s-10 to local 4wd mechanic who honored my warranty.

Said there was probably a "flat spot" in my starter solenoid, that was why different parking tilts caused the erratic start. And happily no more troubles after the new starter, not even in the certain parking spot that first manifested the no-start.

Agian thanks to anyone who gave their ideas, I had given up after that lying-ass car dealer said "no problems here".

S-Tinction

Good to hear! You still wanna get rid if it? I love free trucks! LOL!
Glad you got it fixed :)