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KCusick81

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You guys got me thinking, so I walked outside and did a real quick inspection and came across this flat braided wire that appears to be a ground of some sort. I don't know what it is (I'm sure you folks do), but it certainly looks to be problematic.
 

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Erin

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You are correct. I've done a little research since finding it last night. It appears it COULD be my issue. Of course, there could be multiple issues. Either way, I feel like it's definitely worth replacing the ground straps. Agree?
There’s a member here that sells what he calls the Big 3 ground kit. It’s an upgrade from factory grounds. It might interest you.
 

Schurkey

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That IS a ground strap, and it is NOT in pristine condition.

It's also not the problem with the starter. That is not the starter ground. 150+ amps of starter current would melt that strap.

The starter grounds to the block. The block grounds to the bigass negative battery cable, not a little puny braided cable.
 

KCusick81

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That IS a ground strap, and it is NOT in pristine condition.

It's also not the problem with the starter. That is not the starter ground. 150+ amps of starter current would melt that strap.

The starter grounds to the block. The block grounds to the bigass negative battery cable, not a little puny braided cable.
Gotcha. Those braided ground straps are getting replaced regardless. Going to do some more investigating tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
 

HotWheelsBurban

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If you do end up dropping the starter, check the tightness of the terminals on the starter solenoid,and the connection between the starter motor itself and the solenoid. I have seen these be loose and cause a condition like what you're experiencing.
On my Burb,the little terminal on the solenoid was loose and it caused a " no start when hot". Tightening it up and replacing a couple of battery cables and cleaning up the grounds and starter mounting surfaces, got it sorted out.
 

L31MaxExpress

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I've replaced the big, old-style direct-drive starter motors on about half of my Chevy engines with the newer Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction (PMGR) OEM starters.

Works great on my '88 K1500 5.7L. Works less-great on my '97 K2500 7.4L. (Starter grinds. May be faulty starter, worn flexplate, or needs a shim.) Both starters DO have the correct starter bolts. See bulletin attached. Your '97 probably has a PMGR starter already.

Beware sellers claiming their starters are "PG260" but don't look like the photos in the bulletin.
I have swapped several of these on older vehicles like my brothers old C10 and my 83 G20. Then I have a couple of old OEM ones on bigger engines in the same vehicle that the rolled down the assembly line in. My OEM 97 Express starter is still starting my 11:1 383 effortlessly. The OEM 99 starter on my Tahoe is still cranking the 8.1L. They are powerful starters and they hold up.
 
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