# Dead '96 GMC Suburban

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 11, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018 "2008-08-11T18:13:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wolfmanjess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@wolfmanjess](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolfmanjess)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018/1 "2008-08-11T18:13:03Z")

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Occasionally when I try to start the car after it has been driven a while nothing happens except all the dash lights go out when I turn the key to “start.” No clicking solenoid, no nothing. The lights work, as do the windows & seats, but absolutely no power to the starter. The battery tests good. Then, in a while, whether the engine has cooled down or not, it decides to start. The check engine light does not come on. It is a new engine & auto tranny, all new plug & coil wires, K&N air filter & Banks exhaust. Also, before it decides not to start, while driving, all of the dash trouble lights flash on & off very quickly and intermittently with the guages (fuel, oil pres., temp & batt) and speedometer going dead when the trouble lights flash “on.” My chevy dealer doesn’t know what’s going on. Anybody have an idea?

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**Author:** ![lrakus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@lrakus](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lrakus)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018/2 "2008-08-11T18:23:58Z")

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See if there is a diagnostic test for the ECU or ECM. Test that for intermittent failure or loose connection

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018/3 "2008-08-11T18:24:04Z")

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It has NOTHING to do with the Plugs or filter. It’s electrical…specifically the starter/starter-circuit. I’ve seen situations where the exhaust manifold heats up the starter so much that it won’t function until it cools down. Could also be a diode someplace or a capacitor that’s burning out.

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**Author:** ![Leobardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@Leobardo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Leobardo)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018/4 "2008-08-11T20:33:12Z")

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I had a problem like this one on my 96 Pontiac Grand Prix and the only thing that it needed was a new alternater. :o) It would do the same thing thou, hope thats what it is.

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dead-96-gmc-suburban/18018/5 "2008-08-11T21:33:04Z")

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You left the car with this info,paid for 1hr diagnosis,got your car back and your bill read “could not duplicate”.Did they give you battery and charging/starting system specs. for your money?If so what are they.I would always write these specson the repair order,I wanted to get paid for the testing.