Blazer Starter Engages While Engine is Idling

casimir1978

I have a 2000 Chevy Blazer LT. It seems to be only happening when the truck in park. On a recent long road trip (700 miles), we stopped at an oasis. When I put the truck in park, the following happened: The dashboard lights up like a christmas tree followed by the starter engaging (while the engine is still running). I assume its the starter because I hear a loud metallic grinding noise that sounds exactly like what it would sound like if you accidentally hit the ignition switch while the engine is running. I immediately turn the iginition off, then re-start. Everything is fine again. This happens intermittently. There are 2 or 3 similar occasions where this has happened and most recently while in the shop (after the spark plugs, distributor cap, and wires have been replaced). Mechanic tried to trouble shoot but couldnt because it wont replicate. What the heck is going on?????

jlflemmons

Sounds suspiciously like an ignition switch issue. That are the wiring harness to the switch, a known issue with the S series trucks. Might try "jiggling" the ignition switch and see if you can replicate.

Others here have talked about the ignition switch wiring harness and may have better insight.

xxirish63xx

Ok i have a different but possibly related problem. My 2000 blazer runs great, but doesn't start so well. When I start it up in the morning i usally get a grinding noise (starter engages then lets loose), followed (99% of the time) by a relatively clean start any clues?

jlflemmons

Worn starter bendix would be a good first look. Weak bendix spring along with worn teeth on the bendix can do this on any starter. Let me guess here... more than 100K miles on the vehicle?

buckeyemc

I have a 1998 blazer i let it warm up i heard a grinding noise then my engine stop running and had a wire smell to it.So i whent and buy a new starter,ignition switch,starter relay and now it will start but about 15-30 min Idling the grinding noise will start back up. :confuse: all my friends have no clue what it can be and one of them have his own shop he is :confuse:

xxirish63xx

Supposedly they replace the starter with a new one and the flywheel as well looks like i'm going to have to get dirty after all! I Don't trust shops!! The wife is going to kill me LMAO!!!! And no i just picked it up and it only had 84K and has a spotless carfax!!!

jlflemmons

Well, don't get me started on carfax. If the starter has just been replaced, might be good to ask what was happening before. An intermittent ignition switch going to the start position internally, or a short in the wiring to the solenoid could do this, but a bad bendix is more likely.

Don't worry about wife laughing. Mine does it all the time. That, and rolling her eyes.

pagedc79

The 1st error was when I tried to start 4WD 1500 5.7L with 120K miles it just clicked once. Battery is new so I thought maybe the starter had a dead spot. As I was pulling the starter, it engaged! Crap, forgot to unhook the battery. Pulled the negative terminal off then thought maybe it would work now so I put the starter back in and secured. When I went to reconnect the - battery terminal the truck tried starting all by itself.....with the key off.

Pulled the starter and bench test fine, replaced the solenoid just for grins. Put starter back in and now I cannot connect the battery without it trying to start on its own?

Dealer has no clue......unless of course I have it towed in so they can look at it.

Any ideas anyone? Thanks :confuse:

jlflemmons

Sounds like a fused (as in stuck contacts) starter relay. On a '99, I believe this is in the large underhood relay/fuse center mounted on the drivers side fenderwell.

pagedc79

I have removed the Str Mtr Relay and the STR fuses from that panel and she still tries to start when I connect the - battery terminal :confuse:

pagedc79

I am trying to find an accurate wiring diagram because the generic one in my Haynes manual is obviously wrong.

jlflemmons

Remove the small wire going to the solenoid. If it still tries to start, the solenoid itself is fused. If not, start tracking down the wiring short.

mamma13

idle & rpm is high, stays running even when I press on the breaks,but has never stalls out .please i would appreciate any help.i cant drive it with the fear of accidently hurting someone or myself for applying the breaks

derickfunk

My 1996 chevy blazer is having issues when i try to start it. i turn the key on and all the electrical stuff works like normal but when i go to start the vehicle everything dies and nothing has power. its a brand new battery and i have to boost it to start it when this happens. Please and thank you for any advice.