S10 1996 won't crank intermittet problem

[zebraxbar]

Turn key nothing happens, lights work etc. couple hours later works. sometimes it does not and I have it towed. Where can I look for problem starter is find. turn key you hear nothing I cannot find anything whats next?

[Godofwarmike]

have a buddy listen under the hood when you turn the key. might be a bad relay.

if you hear a click sound under the hood when you turn the key the relay is good but your starter is bad.

[rhandwor]

You can lightly hit the starter with a hammer if it then starts you need a rebuilt starter.

[tjcambria]

I had a similar problem with a 1997 S-10 pick-up. After replacing the starter, the truck started right up and continued to start for months. When I experienced the same intermittent start problem, I assumed the starter had gone bad and went for a replacement. Autozone checked out the starter and insisted it was good. At my insistence, they gave me a new starter. When the no-start problem continued, I had to look a bit deeper. I found that the starter would crank only if I connected a jumper cable directly from the starter housing to the negative battery cable. (It didn't seem to make any sense since the starter is bolted to the engine block.) I checked/replaced the ground strap to the engine block, but it didn't solve the problem. Finally, I ran a heavy ground wire from the battery directly to the starter bolt. I haven't had a problem in over two years.