90 Silverado starting problem

I have a 90 Silverado with a starting problem. I drove it 12 miles this morning (it started without any problem) and then, after sitting for 30 minutes, it wouldn't crank, click, or sputter. The starter is about 18 months old installed by me when the previous starter split open from age. The Temperature gauge goes to full scale when the key is in the crank poistion. Does that indicate anything or is that a diagnostic for the gauge? I'm sure that the battery is fine, but I've tried jump starting the truck anyway with no success (or change). I also tried tapping on the starter with a hammer. I intend to run an external hot wire to the starter later today to test the connection. Any advice?

Have you checked the battery? My 90 did the same things a few weeks ago. After cleaning and tightening all cables it still wouldn't jumpstart. I noticed the light under the hood would only come on really dim while trying to jumpstart and go out when the door was opened. It was the battery. If a battery goes bad sometimes it will not jump.

Yes, check your connections. Also, depending on the starter you bought, I would take it off and have it checked, just for piece of mind, and then look into your electrical system. Have some-one hold the key in the "start" mode and see if your seloniod is getting power from the "little" wire that connects to the starter.

I'm slow to reply, but my problem solved itself. After the vehicle sat for a few hours, it started up fine and hasn't had a problem since. Go figure. I'm keeping an eye on the situation.

For those who wonder what happened in the end, here's the ending:
A week after not starting, the truck again failed me but then started while jump starting and tapping the starter with a hammer. From there, the starter would just growl when attempting to start, so I pulled the starter (under warranty) and battery and had them both tested. They both tested out fine, so I cleaned my connections and reinstalled both but still no success. Then I bought another starter, telling the store that they will need to refund my money if replacing the warrantied starter works. The new starter works great, and the store honored the warranty.

Just curious......did the truck crank at all with the old starter. I was wondering if you had cranking but no fire. Usually the problem your describing has been linked to the ignition module: Starts cold, shut off and won't start hot. -Chris