Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Good day
by lukester - March 28th 2024 12:26 pm
Crazy mods
by MufflerMan Mike - March 28th 2024 9:38 am
Lew Greger
by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
1987 G20 Gypsy
by SDMickey - March 25th 2024 9:39 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
79 g20 starter issues.
#763638 July 16th 2020 5:41 pm
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 96
BlairW Offline OP
journeyman
OP Offline
journeyman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 96
79 g20, 400 small block.

Used to start fine. One day noticed some sparks flying when engaging the starter with the doghouse off. Couldn't find an issue and didnt seem to be a problem afterwards..

Anyways, one day out of the blue it seems like it's really struggling to turn over the engine. Was thinking the worst like engine seizing up or something, had a real weak battery so hooked up the boosters to my truck, got it turning over but really slowly and finally started. Took it for a short drive, ran like normal, good oil pressure etc.

Parked in garage to check starter at a later date. Today decided to try and trouble shoot. Battery toast now, so hooked up booster cables, could get it to roll the engine maybe 1 rotation then quit. Tried a few times and it was really struggling hard to turn over the engine...till I saw a puff of smoke coming out from under the hood. Pulled boost off, cables HOT... pulled starter, installed different one.

Now nothing at all. Cant get the starter to do anything.

Mechanics is one of the things I love the most, but I HATE wiring. I dont even know where to start.


1979 Nomad
2005 E350 Cutaway Class C
Re: 79 g20 starter issues.
BlairW #763645 July 16th 2020 6:22 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
My big blocks used to eat starters ... drawing a lot of currant getting way HOT N cooking the case .... went to a reduction gear starter on both of my van and no more problems ...


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: 79 g20 starter issues.
BlairW #763647 July 16th 2020 6:31 pm
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 96
BlairW Offline OP
journeyman
OP Offline
journeyman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 96
So the 2nd starter I tried turns out to be no good. Pulled it back out, bench test and nothing except the solenoid getting hot very quickly. Bench tested the old suspect starter at the same time and first it did nothing but a spark show, then tried one more time and now it seems to be fine? Man I hate electrical stuff.


1979 Nomad
2005 E350 Cutaway Class C
Re: 79 g20 starter issues.
BlairW #763648 July 16th 2020 7:22 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Check the ground straps to the motor and the battery


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: 79 g20 starter issues.
BlairW #763666 July 16th 2020 9:56 pm
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 21,211
Likes: 25
N
Supreme Master
Offline
Supreme Master
N
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 21,211
Likes: 25
What is the condition of the battery cables? They can corrode internally and cause resistance to go through the roof. If they're original I would suggest changing them out anyway.


Nate Breece
Re: 79 g20 starter issues.
BlairW #763683 July 17th 2020 1:44 pm
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 96
BlairW Offline OP
journeyman
OP Offline
journeyman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 96
Cables look ok, but I do have some new spares here so good idea, I'll change them all out.


1979 Nomad
2005 E350 Cutaway Class C

Moderated by  Astro 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 16 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
TheDrunkenGunsmith, Jac, LOVclassics, ZenMuffin, Milkman530
12724 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 129
CatFish 25
frscke1 25
Wedgy 21
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,746
Posts537,916
Members12,724
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4