Strange push button start issue

[chrismoore701]

Here is the back ground 1979 stepside, frame off, painless harness
I took the switchable lead from the fuel pump (pump not used), and ran it over to a push button in the ashtray. So you have to turn the key on, push the button and bam we're running. Been having some trouble lately and not sure why. I try to start it, it will bump and then dead. Thought it was the neutral switch. Started to chase it and the switch has continuity. Checked the pushbutton. No power to it. Checked the fuel pump fuse and it was blown. 15 Amp. replaced it and it started and the second try blew again. I hooked the key start back up and it fired up good. Not sure why this is happening. It has worked for months. The wires are wrapped with wire loom. have not been under the dash in a while. Had this issue twice before, but it wasnt the fuse that blew, just stopped working.

The battery was low, would that put too much stress on the solinoid to cause it to pop that fuse. I guess it may be possible the wire from the push button could be shorted somewhere. If the wire from the fuel pump to the switch was shorted it would blow the fuse as soon as I plugged it in.

I will look at this, how ever I do not think it is the wire. I wonder if my starter is going out. I did not replace it. it is probably 20 years old, but works good

[chrismoore701]

But again it seemed to fire up strong with the key start, I just pulled the push button wire off and put the key wire on the neutral switch. Put a charger on it last night to get the battery back up. I have been a lot of work on the doors and the dome light has been on to draw the battery down

[hatzie]

You have a chafe point on the wire somewhere between the Neutral Safety or fuse panel and the pushbutton. It's making intermittent contact to ground.

[chrismoore701]

I am going to try to check that tonight. The crazy thing is, this is about the 3rd time I have had the issue where the truck would bump and then just not start. I jump the starter with a screw driver, then it would work. I almost wonder if the solenoid is going bad. I also looked at my book today, the power going to the push button, is a 15 Amp, and only a 14 gauge wire. Could I just be drawing too many amps through this wire? I heard that the solenoid can have up to a 35 amp spike when it first fires up

[bilfman]

14gauge should be fine for the solenoid. If key ignition works fine it has to be wiring within your push switch. Is that circuit all 14 gauge ? If you try a 20 amp fuse does that work?

[chrismoore701]

A little nervous sticking a 20 amp fuse on a 14 gauge wire. Any thoughts on a week battery drawing too many amps? Or a bad solenoid? Got the heat on in the garage. Charged the battery last night. Will check it all out tonight. Will let you know what I find out

[chrismoore701]

Just fired it up three times on the push button and it works. Not sure what is going on.