Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

Sometimes my Silverado will not start at the turn of the ignition key. Lately when I go to start it I have to turn the ignition key lots of times to get it started. And then sometimes it starts on the first try. Other times it may take 15-20 trys. I'm thinking ignition switch or NS switch.  

does it NOT start.. or won't crank?????

i would first see if i could hear the fuel pump running for 2 seconds when first turning on the key...

you can open the hood.. feel the fuel pump relay ... see if it clicks..   you can also for a test.. extract it from its case and reinstall the bare relay.. give it a squeeze and see if the fuel pump runs...

i have found some with the contacts worn away from working that did not close properly... requiring multiple attempts to get the engine running..

you might also want to disconnect the battery..... work the key on .. to the crank position and back to the off position about 50 times.. again with the battery disconnected...

what goes on.. the ignition switch on this truck.. like almost every other car.. is a spool with pins like a music box.. when the spool is rotated.. the pins hold the switch levers open.. when the pins move away.. the springs push the contact levers down to close the contacts..   working the switch 50 or 100 times with the battery disconnected..   allows the contacts to close without any arcing..  so the might clean the contact faces.. i know this sounds like bull.. but it does work...   especially since the ignition switches are around 100 bucks..


there are two different versions...



neither is easy to install..  

there seem to be 2 different fuel pump relays depending on your silverado version..




 

Thanks for the quick response. Yes it does start but it's very annoying to have to turn the key about 10-15 times or so before it cranks over.  Then other times it starts on the first try.  

there is a starter relay in the same relay box beside the brake master cylinder.. change that first...

save the old relay...

the starter relay looks like this...



with some small screw drivers... you can remove the outer cover...  and reinstall the bare relay into the socket.  then use a screw driver or insulated tool.. to push the movable piece down to close the contacts... this will make the engine crank.. even without the key.. tests part of the starting system...


 

with the relay cover off..  you can see if the signal is getting through...

i have found a lot of these with dirty contacts..

these relays are usually under 20 bucks.

if it does crank the engine . when you close the contacts..

on this model... the PCM controls this relay...

the transmission has to be in park or neutral.. there is a switch to tell the PCM what position the gear shift is in..

get out your owners manual.. see if you can identify the CRANK fuse in the under hood relay and fuse box... might be on the left side of the dash... i don't recall..

see if that gets power with a volt meter... or test light..