I have a 1995 K1500 that has has starting problems for a while (at least 30,000 miles).

The truck has had 2 or 3 new starters, several new batteries, a new ignition switch, and some other parts but the problems has never really ever been solved. However, changing the starter or battery usually helps it for a while. The truck has a remote starter on it, which is what the dealership usually blamed for the problem, but I never thought that it was the real problem.

Here is what it does:

Sometimes when I crank the vehicle I get in and turn the key and nothing happens, just a click. I keep turning the key and eventually it will crank. On other times it will crank on the first turn. It has never "not cranked" for me, but sometimes it will take turning the key on 20 times or so.

It seems that the problem occurs less whenever it has a new or well charged battery. It makes it worse whenever I have electrical items on (aka heater, lights, etc).

Is the click you hear coming from the starter? If so then the starter solenoid is trying to engage. I would be suspect of the power cable coming from the battery to the starter and the ground from the battery to engine block.

Check your wiring. If all looks good then measure the voltage drop across the battery cable. Make sure there is no corrosion.

Yup, I would go to the cables. Not just the power but may have a bad ground wire

It sounds like it is coming from the starter area. It has almost a hollow clicking, like you said, sounds like the solenoid engaging. I have been somewhat suspect of the cables (because that seems to be about the only thing that has not been replaced) or of a bad ground.

Are the two battery wires the only ones that I need to check? are there any others (aka an engine block to frame wire or something)?

Thanks guys.

Why does it work sometimes and not others, but will always work evenutally? It would seem to me that if it was a faulty wire it would not work unless the wire was moved around or something.

The cables show no corrosion at the battery. Look brand new, actually.

Follow both cables and check at each connection. The red positive cable may not go directly to the starter. Can't recall but follow the cable there may be a junction block or something along the way. The ground is likely going straight to then engine block from the battery. Make sure connections are tight.

If you have a volt meter you can measure the voltage drop across the positive and negative circuit. Attach your leads and measure the drop while cranking. More then .4V is excessive but probably a higher number in your case.

I found This (http://www.prestolite.com/pgs_training/training_4.php) on google - looks like good instructions. Scroll to the bottom for the voltage drop test.

My 95 Z71 did the same thing. I put on a new starter and changed the battery, but it wouldn't start sometimes just like yours. Checked the cables and the terminals looked fine, but I still put a wire brush to them until the contacts were shiny. Hooked everything back up and never had an issue with it again. Let us know what it is.

Thanks guys for all of your help. I will try work on this thing pretty soon and let you know what I find. Thanks again!

Richie