Chevy Van Starter

NewToy · Sep 13, 2006

I recently had to replace the starter solenoid on my 2001 1 ton Chevy van. The van has the 5.7 liter engine. Here is the part that gets me. I disconnected the battery and removed the starter on Sunday afternoon. I left the battery unhooked and ran the starter into town on Monday to have it repaired at the local starter and alternator shop. I picked it up on Tuesday and buttoned everything back up. When I went to start the van up it rolled over and tried to fire but wouldn't run without giving it some gas peddle. It had been running perfectly before this starter episode. So I shut it off and went to walk the dogs and think about it for a bit. When I return 30 minutes or so later I tried to start it again and it fired right up and runs perfectly now. I'm wondering if by leaving the battery unhooked for 3 days had some effect on the "brain"? Does it have to reset itself or something after being powered down for awhile? Any thoughts?

Thanks,

John

Nasty135 · Sep 13, 2006

Does it have to reset itself or something after being powered down

Yes! It had reset to default! Then it relearned what it needed to start correctly.

midlf · Sep 13, 2006

I'm sure Chevy is about the same as my Ford products. Ford states that after the battery has been disconnected the computer needs a 10 mile drive to properly reset itself and relearn what is needed for that engine.

NewToy · Sep 13, 2006

I thought I had read something about that a ways back. It had me going there for a minute though, I thought OK, here we go, what did I tear up now.It's running like a champ now. One thing that kind of amazed me was the physical size of the starter. They have sure scaled those things down since the 70's. That's about the last time I had to put a starter on.
Thanks,
John

CurlyDave · Sep 17, 2006

Not only does the engine computer need to be reset, but I bet you lost all the presets on your radio too.

In some cars you need to use a special "radio code" just to get the fool thing to work again after power has been disconnected. Prevents radio theft. Woe be unto he who has lost this code.

NewToy · Sep 17, 2006

CurlyDave said:
Not only does the engine computer need to be reset, but I bet you lost all the presets on your radio too.

In some cars you need to use a special "radio code" just to get the fool thing to work again after power has been disconnected. Prevents radio theft. Woe be unto he who has lost this code.

Good thing I installed an aftermarket radio/CD in the van shortly after I purchased it. That certainly would have confounded me.
John