1988 Gmc C3500 With 350 Won't Start

[chrisluna]

I checked the fuses and starter, no problems found. When I turn the key, it doesn't even try to turn over, nothing happens. I tried to jump start it, nothing, I put it on a charger for several hours, still nothing. I suspect the ignition switch but don't want to tear apart the steering wheel and steering column if I don't have to. Any suggestions?

[grosss]

Does power come on to the accessories/interior? Also, I'm not sure if it happens on your truck but I know a lot of vehicles when you flip the ignition key certain things turn off like interior lights or radio to provide max power to the starter. If that's so and it's still happening I wouldn't suspect the ignition switch first.

 

My first suspect would be the starter itself, the solenoid might not be firing due to a bad connection. get a multimeter hooked up to the ground and positive wires down there and check for voltage while trying to crank... or more obviously wiggle the wires and see if one's snapped off the starter. It's a lot easier to check that than start ripping open the column.

[grosss]

Does power come on to the accessories/interior? Also, I'm not sure if it happens on your truck but I know a lot of vehicles when you flip the ignition key certain things turn off like interior lights or radio to provide max power to the starter. If that's so and it's still happening I wouldn't suspect the ignition switch first.

 

My first suspect would be the starter itself, the solenoid might not be firing due to a bad connection. get a multimeter hooked up to the ground and positive wires down there and check for voltage while trying to crank... or more obviously wiggle the wires and see if one's snapped off the starter. It's a lot easier to check that than start ripping open the column.

 

Oh just realized you said fuses AND starter.. did you check for voltage or just visual?

[grose67]

Take a screwdriver and short the post together on the starter and see if it turns over. You should get spark and movement.

[chrisluna]

I took the starter off and it had it tested, it works fine, put it back in and still nothing. I was looking in a chilton's manual at the diagram for the ignition switch and noticed that the wires are right there with the turn signal switch (the turn signal fuse keeps blowing but the ignition fuse is fine) i am wondering if the they are shorting each other out. The positive cable to the starter is not in good condition (it has been broken and electrical taped back together). I bought another cable for the starter (I'll replace it first), an ignition switch, and a turn signal switch. It looks like I might be stuck pulling the steering column apart after all.

[chrisluna]

I just replaced the turn signal switch and the ignition switch but still have the steering column torn apart because I can't get the rod that goes from the lock cylinder to the switch to go into the switch. I may have to take it off again to put the rod in. Also I am worried that the steering column isn't going to go back together like it is suppose to. I was trying to put the column back together before I realized I hadn't connected the rod and the shifter didn't seem like it was right.

[grose67]

It is where the key goes in.

[chrisluna]

The switch was under the dash board and mounted on top of the steering column, very difficult to get to. Normally I fix all of my own stuff, kind of learning as I go, but I never want to do this again. I may just have to hire someone to finish the job.