Recall that I've been chasing a hard-starting issue with my S10.....it had a hard time getting started- cranking fine- when cold, just the engine catching and going. It happened a lot when it was below freezing outside, and I remember chasing issues like water in the gas, bad sensors, etc. It went away but as of late no matter the weather it didn't want to crank, like it was electrical. I'd turn the key and the dash would barely light up, it'd crank over slowly, and finally catch, but stutter, stumble and usually stall.
What I didn't understand was the battery I bought new in January 15. The more mulling I did about it I thought "what would my dad do?" and "what have the guys at OCC taught me?"
-Check the simple things first. I thought it may have been a fuel pump issue, but that wouldn't explain the slow crank/newer battery. It's gotta be something electrical.
-Disconnect battery cables. Clean contacts with wire brush. Re install, tighten snugly but not red-faced-grunt.
-Follow negative cable to actual ground on the engine block. Terminal on the end was rotating on the bolt.
-Remove bolt, clean both contact patches (and bolt) with wire brush. Lots of grease/oil due to the fact that the cable attaches at the bottom of the front of the engine. Replace bolt, tighten like above.
Two days later the engine cranks like a Farmall H converted to 12 volt, and it's been below freezing both days.
Thanks for the indirect help with my issue guys. I hope that I got it licked.