1999 chevy blazer start problems

Over the past couple of weeks my 1999 chevy blazer has been having some starting and odor issues. I noticed a strange odor (almost smells like bug spray) inside the vehicle about 2 weeks ago and then after 2 days of smelling the odor, which got stronger as the days went on, the vehicle did not start. All power is working, just wont' crank over. Later that day I figured I would give it a try and it started without any hesitation and the odor was gone. It ran great for 3 days, THEN the odor came back and 2 days later it would not start again. This time I had it towed to my mechanic's and once it got to his location it no longer had the smell and the truck started right up. He has no clue as to what is going on... maybe I need a new mechanic LOL. Any idea what the issue could be?
Cari Rose, Johnson City, NY

Battery overcharging?

Over the past couple of weeks my 1999 chevy blazer has been having some starting and odor issues. I noticed a strange odor (almost smells like bug spray) inside the vehicle about 2 weeks ago and then after 2 days of smelling the odor, which got stronger as the days went on, the vehicle did not start. All power is working, just wont' crank over. Later that day I figured I would give it a try and it started without any hesitation and the odor was gone. It ran great for 3 days, THEN the odor came back and 2 days later it would not start again. This time I had it towed to my mechanic's and once it got to his location it no longer had the smell and the truck started right up. He has no clue as to what is going on... maybe I need a new mechanic LOL. Any idea what the issue could be?
Cari Rose, Johnson City, NY

What engine and mileage?
On the no start does the starter crank engine and just no start or no engine cranking?
Any check engine lights when it does run?
Any security lights on?

And as said how is the charging system?

blazer is a 6 cylinder and has 160,000 miles. I checked the battery and it is registering a little over half voltage. When it has it's off and on start issues it sounds like it wants to catch, but just won't crank over. The check engine light has been on for months. I was told that when it was put on the diagnostic machine that it came back a problem with my shift solenoid. Considering repair was quoted approx $500 I have not had it fixed yet. Could that be the culprit to this odor and no start problem?
Cari Rose, Johnson City, NY

Check battery and cabels and charging system.
Does the starter crank engine good?
What is you battery voltage?

Odor? Like rotten eggs?

well, my 1999 chevy s10 is still having some starting issues. It would not fire up for 2 days and then when I had my mechanic come to tow it he said it fired right up. This is the 4th week in a row that this has happened to me. I meyself and 3 other people must have tried starting the truck at least 50 times in a two day span, including again about an hour after it was to be towed. Any idea why this is happening? Truck runs great while actually running, but after about a week it dies and just won't start, then it varies from hours to days before it starts again. THis is driving me crazy !! please help. (FYI, the odor that I previously stated smelling a couple weeks ago is now very faint) That still has not been explained either.

I have experienced the same problem with my S10 blazer. When the problem occurs it is as if not enough gas is getting to the engine. After trying to crank a few minutes, I can let it sit a few more minutes maybe 2 to 15. Then it will crank as if nothing was wrong. I stopped useing regular gas (10% ethanol) and useing the mid grade gas so far so good. The problem is so inconsistent it's to soon to tell if gas is the problem.
Any other suggestions?

What does 1/2 voltage on our battery mean?

How old is your battery?

There are not that many things on our cars that give off odor. Gasoline and Batteries are the 2 that give off odors when the vehicle is not in use. I'd get a new battery no matter what the tests on a multi meter or induction meter show. Unless you can get it on a real load test machine and run a 600 amp load on it and it still maintains 10v then it is bad. Either the battery is newer and still under warranty or it needs to be replaced. I've replaced more than I can count that were gassing some real foul odor and those batteries could not keep a charge.

In in my Jimmy had a cell go bad on me over the period of 2 hours. It was fine starting and running on and off all day then I parked it for 2 hours and when I went to restart I had no crank and on the gauge I had 10V.

Check your cables while you have the battery out. I've got bad cables in my boat that need to be replaced before I use it again. They work for a while then get real hot and stop working. It only effects the starter motor though. The rest of my accessories work fine even my power tilt/trim. The 200+amp draw the starter puts on the cables does some funny things to them.