just bought an 86 suburban yesterday and im pulling a boat back to KY from FL this weekend. After running for a while and turning off, the starter wont engage. When i turn the key to on, i get all the dash lights and everything looks like it should, but when i turn the key to start i get nothing! no clicking, no slow crank, no sounds what so ever. if I jump the solenoid at the starter it cranks right up and runs great, or i can wait until it is completely cool (over night) and it will start right up. any ideas?

solenoid is shot, when you jump it with a screwdriver you are bypassing it completely, sounds like the contacts in yer solenoid just arent touching once it heats up


EDIT: you could always use a cheap ford solenoid of money is an issue, they mount on the passengers fender under the hood and are like $12

I don't think GM solenoids are that expensive and once the starter is off it's an easy fix. The only difficulty is the front bracket which is sort of hidden and difficult to access.

Personally I would go with a new starter, but i have heard that you can "refresh" the contacts inside by pulling it apart and foolin' with the innards.

That's right. There is a contact ring (I think that's what it's called) which you can flip over but if jumping the solenoid engages the starter then the solenoid is worn. Solenoids of all makes are fairly cheap.

20 bucks from rockauto for a new solenoid

my motorhome would do that..i changed solenoid and still did it so i just put a push button starter switch from large (battery) post to the small post closest to the engine (purple wire) under the dash..and when it acted up i would use that...and been that way for years now..i think on mine it was a problem with the ing. switch might not be the same on yours