Hi all. '98 Silverado 5.0, auto.

So you know how you put the key in and turn to ON, then the seatbelt buzzer sounds and all the dash warning lights kick on. Usually, you pass right by this and turn to START, the truck cranks a second or 2, then starts right up. That's the way it's supposed to work. Now, my truck has always started almost instantly before.

Ok, my problem is this: Lately I turn the key over to START and the truck will crank anywhere from 5 to 15 seconds without starting. During this time, there are NO dash lights or seatbelt buzzer. After this delay, I'll hear what sounds like a relay click from either inside the column or beneath the dash and the lights will come on, the buzzer will sound, and the truck will start right up.

I played with it this evening. I turned the key to ON and left it on without turning to START. After the 5 to 15 second delay, again I hear the click from under the dash and the lights and buzzer come on. Then, I turn it to START and it starts right up.

I also get a flickering "CHECK GAGES" warning light during the first minute of driving most days.

Am I looking at a new ignition switch? Or is there a relay under there somewhere that hangs for a few seconds? Or?

Thanks all!!!

 

This one's a stumper Let's start with the click - can anyone tell me what is making that relay-like click under the dash? As soon as it clicks, the lights and buzzer come on and the truck will start normally.

I DO know that the truck had an aftermarket remote start that was removed before I got it. Is there maybe a leftover starter relay under there? Or something in the gage cluster?

 

I would guess the click is a relay or modual under the dash that does something to bypass the ignition and it must have gotten activated somehow. I have had a similare thing happen to my 98 with the remote start. It wouldn't let it start after it was in for an oil change. Turned out the dealer had activated the Valet mode and it wasn't hooked up to be able to do that. So it killed the truck. I figured it out when I went to unlock it with my remote and the lights kept flashing. It was pretty funny to see that techs face when I started it up after they towed it out of their shop!

I would start with the wiring under the dash.

If it has been spliced in then it is not stock.

 

Thanks for the tip. As you say, I'm just gonna have to start poking around under there. Along with my 'Check Gages' warning, it sounds like the click might be coming from the gage cluster, too.

 

Update - the click seems to be coming from the column. I can feel the click and hear it coming from under the column shroud. Is this sound the anti-theft device pulling in? Is it doing its job, but just taking longer to do it than normal?

 

Update - I got the oil changed and since then I haven't had any problems getting the truck to start as normal. The dash lights come on immediately and there's no "Check Gages" light. Before the oil change, my oil pressure was riding a bit higher than normal and I checked the dipstick - the oil was in very bad condition. It looked like Hershey's chocolate syrup.

Could the oil pressure and condition be causing the delay? Some kind of reminder?

 

I'm thinking that something to do with the check gauges light causes the truck not to start immediately so that you have to look at the light. Just a hunch.

 

It's kinda weird but that seems to be the cause cuz all is well now.

 

Have you cleaned your ground connections?

Had a similar difficulty with an '85 GMC Suburban.
Thought it was on the way out, but after cleaning up
all ground connections, she starts up right away.