SIMPLE!! Crank No Start fix - Chevy TBI 5.7L 350 SBC

For a year my 1988 GMC Vandura with a 5.7 TBI would crank but not start. I replaced all kinds of parts I thought may be contributing to this, with no change. Finally out of irritation I climbed under my van removed the main ground cable that comes off the battery's negative terminal and bolts to the bottom front of the engine block. I took my Dremel & wire brush to the connector and bolted it back on... after one year of not starting, a 30 second "clean up" and my van started up on the first crank.... moral of the story, start with the basics!

[prevost]

The grounds for the TBI & ignition actually bolt to the rear of the passenger side cylinder head. It’s difficult to see in pickup trucks but a van with a dog box will be easy to see. I’ve seen numerous running problems because they were corroded or loose. If they are bad you can get intermittent bucking, stalling, and if it has a 4L60e transmission you can have shifting issues also.

[JF-svqo]

This guy is a total Genius; he’s bringing the Good America back. Each One Teach One Son😎

[supersteveize]

It doesn't hurt to add an extra ground also. I cleaned all the grounds on my van and added an extra one haven't had any problems.
My brother used to have a saying that I kind of try to live by its "Look for the cheapest thing first...".
Another one of his sayings that I liked was" Slick is slick".

[NiteRythemzRadio]

Same issue on my 88 g20. People, don't forget to disconnect the battery before trying this.

[Capserthefriendlyghosy]

Thank you bro found out it was the battery ground.

[jonathanforlin]

Thanks bro, that helped. Your van is sick!

[michaellingo]

Thanks and good job. I will try this as soon as the sun comes up.

[searchingforsalsa]

I’m having the same issue randomly today, I’ll check the ground when I get home. I’ve definitely overlooked checking the ground on other projects because it seems too obvious and everything’s probably fine so it can’t be the ground, way too easy.

It’s usually the ground

[missl]

I owe you a HUGE thank you. Just bought an RV that broke down 30 min down the road after many expensive issues getting it home I tried this first cause it was doing same thing as your van and it worked!! As a single female who can't afford to pay a mechanic I thank you over cause no one else thought of the battery ground 🫵🪨

[missincredible]

I have a 1999 Chevrolet p30 Workhorse 5.7 350 Vortec (Step van) 🚐 & I’ve been trying for 2 years to figure out what’s wrong with it. After watching this video I will look 👀 at this today. I know it has some wiring issues. I’m located in Macon Georgia & a good 👍🏾 mechanic is hard to find!

[bigdanmx]

Awesome tip. Thanks!
Anyone has the chart with all those ground connections locations?

[gokaneinthemembrane]

Gonna look at mine tomorrow. Have same issue. Except, mine also randomly dies while driving. Spent a fortune in towing charges.

[mountainwolf]

Brutal van, I have an 87 Chevy v10 5.7 tbi with hot hard start. Do you have any ideas?

[pw]

Im going to try this later, I was driving home and the dirt road is very bumpy and I let of the gas to coast down the hill and my engine just shut off completely, tried starting it back up it would crank but not turn over, I’m hoping it’s just a loose wire somewhere

[supersteveize]

How did the head gasket repair go. I'm just curious.

[MrBetabit]

I'm a little dense on electrical problems. If it cranks, isn't the starter working? Why would the starter ground be the problem?

[stephenproulx]

A shop told me it was my timing chain because it wouldn't spin while cranking. He disconnected the crankshaft to see. I'm worried of he reconnected it properly. But is it possible to be this? They said they got spark?

[davidbradley]

I have a 1995 chevy silverado C1500 with tbi 350 5.7 and it will not start unless i hold the key in the run position then it will start i think i will try moving my ground because its on the intake and i dont think thats a good place for it because the intake is aluminum and i wouldnt think thats a good ground. What yall think?

[wtfrusrsrn]

Where were you able to find the diagram of ground locations for your van? I can't seem to find one for my 1997 chevy express 1500.

[luismirabent]

Can you tell me where are the grounds for the directional lights and brake lights?, mine turn on but one of them is less shine that the other (not having good ground i guess)