No start problem...

[JT2Fast4u]

Hi. About 6 months ago I purchased a used 1993 Chevy C1500 truck, with only 75,000 miles on it & it's in great shape, except, I have one problem with it. Once in awhile, when i go to start it, it won't do anything. No clicking sounds or anything. The lights don't dim (when this problem happens) the battery is fully charged, the batt. connections & cables are all tight & corrosion free. I'm thinking it's the alarm system on it. I believe it's a "factory" alarm. The brand name of the alarm system is "CodeAlarm", model # is "Elite DM 1500" & it has the "starter disable" feature on it too. So far when this has happen, nothing that I have tried or done will get it to start. It just seems to "magically" fix itself. One time it only took about an hour before it would start again. Another time it took a few days, of just sitting before it started, & now, this time I'm on the 5th. day & it's still not starting, or doing anything for that matter. I just don't get it. But after reading some of the other posts on this board, I'm hearing about some safety fluid shut-off/shut-down features & also about some v.a.t.t.'s or pass-lock systems, or something like that. Would any of those things be on a 1993 C1500 truck(5.0 eng. W/auto trans)? Also, my son-in-law, had one of these trucks a couple years back, same year & all, & he even said that his truck did this same thing to him occasionally too, & he never did find out what the problem was either. I would just like to disconnect this "starter disable" feature if I can. But I'm not sure if it even can be disabled or not. It looks like the alarm wiring is tied into just about every wire under the dash, I have never seen so many wires on an alarm system before. Has anyone else ever had this type of problem before, & if so, what did ya do to fix the problem? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much...JT2Fast4u

[joe92k1500]

To my knowledge the 1993's did not have a factory alarm option. It is most likely an aftermarket. The best in my opinion would be to remove it. In any case check the positive battery cable on the starter. Make sure its tight and clean. Also check the small Terminals on the Starter solenoid. Make sure those are tight and clean also. If this checks out fine, I would point to a problem with the Alarm, especially since it has a Starter disable feature. I wouldnt think you could disconnect the starter disable feature, but i could be wrong. I'm not exactly an alarm expert.

[JT2Fast4u]

Thanks for the tips, Joe92k1500, I checked the starter cable, & it was tight, but wasn't very clean, had alot of oil all over it. But anyways, what I ended up doing was checking the voltage at the starter. I got full voltage there, so it had to be the starter that was the problem. After replacing the starter today, it fired right up. I believe it was getting oil inside of the starter & probably coating the electrical contacts inside of it. So now I have another project for this weekend, to fix my oil leak. Oh yeah, & thanks for setting me straight on the non-factory alarm issue too. I appreciate it very much. Thanks again.... JT2Fast4u