99 Suburban starting issue...

[smithguy]

I have a 1999 Chevy Suburban LS 2WD, 5.7L, V8, 148K miles. It just recently started to develop this "starting issue" and I was wondering if anyone might have an idea what it is: when you turn the key, it starts to "bog" down, almost as if the starter wasn't kicking in, but if you hold the key long enough (~4-6 secs) it will eventually start. I had the alternator tested (was charging with no issue) and replaced the alternator belt (had at least 70K miles on it) thinking it might be "stretching". The belt did indeed have the telltale cracks in it, and when I put the new one in the tensioner showed the difference, but it didn't completely repair the issue. It went away for a few days, but it's now returning. When I had the alternator tested, they said it could possibly be the stater/solenoid on its way out. I'm trying to avoid "shotgunning" the parts because, quite frankly, I can't afford to.
Also (and this I've had for a while now), the electrical system in the rig seems to pulsate. There's this steady pulsating action that you can see in the lighting in the truck, from the headlights to the dome lights. It's not real bad, but it's noticeable. Could these two issues be related? Is there a voltage regulator in this truck and could it be the problem? I ask if there's a voltage regulator because Autozone lists one, but Chiltons mentions nothing about it. I've ran into similar discrepancies before with my fuel pump in my 96 Dakota, where Autozone swore it was an external pump (according to their system), yet it turned out to be internal in the tank.

Anyways, thanks for reading and any help will be GREATLY appreciated!

[aztecf]

Most likely lost a diode in the alternator or a Bad ground

[smithguy]

awesome, thanks I'll check it out!

[aztecf]

We'll what did you find?

Jeff

[smithguy]

actually, it turned out to be the starter. I'm thinking it was the solenoid starting to fade out, but to be safe I replaced the whole assembly, starts like a champ now! still working on the pulsating issue. It seems like it's intermittent now, some days it doesn't even do it...