Hey guys! On a side note, I drove the my 86 GT with the '97 3800SII SC about a week ago for the first time... very pleased, it still has a few bugs to work out. But for now there's a larger problem at hand. While the swap is going on I'm driving an '88 Chevy Blazer S-10 to and from work (it's a 2.8l V6, hence the relevance to you guys =) ). Went out to crank it today and she rolled over about twice under the starter's power, then "click!"... the lights dimmed and the starter stopped turning. So I let go of the key and turned it to 'start' again, and this time I got chattering from the starter and dimmed lights. And finally I tried it again, key to off, key to start and this time only the solenoid clicked, no chattering, no engine rotation. Went under the car and tapped the starter a few times, tried starting again to no avail. What's my course of action? Thanks guys.

Does it start with a jump?

Mostly likely is a dead/drained battery.

If you can jump it, let it run for a while, see if it'll charge up the battery. If it dies after you remove the jumper cables, or if you remove the cables and it runs for a while and then dies, it could be an alternator problem, your alt. may not be charging the battery. How many miles on the battery and on the alt (and the starter)?

[EDIT]
If it does die after removal of the cables, it isn't necessarily an alt problem, it could be that the battery won't charge, as well.
[/EDIT]
------------------
Nick www.naskie18.com AIM: Naskie182010

[This message has been edited by naskie18 (edited 11-24-2003).]

Sounds like a Battery or Allternator problem to me, I had this same problem in my FORMULA. Lucky for you, they are both more accesable in a blazer than in a Fiero to replace

As azfieroman says dead battery or alternator.First check to see if the alternator belt is still there,then clean the battery cables to make sure you are getting good contact.Call you local auto parts store and see if they can test your alternator.Most likely it's the battery though, because they don't last very long compared to an alternator.

i work at auto zone we test alternators and batteries for free. jump it and swing bye one

10 to 1, all you have are dirty connections on your battery if it starts with a jump. Don't assume they'er good cuase they look OK. Take the dam things off and clean the connectors and the battery real got with a wire brush.

Won't crank over?
I'll go with the most likely first:
If it will jump and start...
Dirty/corroded battery terminals. This is very common. The battery will not charge effectively with dirty/corroded connections. The battery will drain.
Loose battery cables.
Dead Battery. Usually without major warning.
Alternator belt loose. Tighten.
Alternator defective. You can replace the diode packs in a 88 chevy yourself.

If it will not jump start...
Battery cables corroded or broken.
Starter problem.

Not much left to check.

------------------