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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newbern, Tn.
Posts: 36
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Ok guys here goes. I have a 72 C-10 with a 307/350 set up. I'm trying to get this truck back into service. Here's what I've done so far.
I try to start the truck with the key and nothing but a faint "click" when I turn the ket to start. The headlights come on with the switch. The solenoid on the starter has two wires, a yellow and a purple. A test light on the yellow wire to the solenoid says it has power with the key in the "on" position. The purple wire shows no light when in the "on" position or when the key is turned to the "start" position. I took the starter off and to a local store to be checked and it tests good. I went ahead and changed the solenoid thinking that it wasn't allowing the start switch to complete the circuit and it didn't fix anything. I was able to use the 'ole screwdriver from the positive battery cable over to the purple wire post to get it to start that way but my last attempt on that just clicks and sparks. I don't know what else it could be. On a last attempt I took a wire from the purple wire directly behind the ignition switch and ran it out of the cab and under the hood to the purple post on the solenoid and it still won't start that way. I'm at a loss! Also, I found one source of the "click" noise generated with the key. It is coming from a small black box on the passenger side of the windshield wiper motor under the dash. I can actually feel the click in this box. Does anyone know what that box is? Could this be the problem? |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: King City, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 974
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
no idea what the box is... I've never heard of that sort of thing?
does your truck have some sort of kill switch/alarm system installed on it? even if it HAS had it installed by a PO or something? could be hacked up wires causing this malfunction. Mine had a kill switch installed by the PO and it would shut the truck off once it was warmed up, and wouldn't fire until it was cold again.. talk about frustrating problems.. if its simple enough, try bypassing this little box and see what happens.. if there is some type of alarm system on the truck.
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- Jason If you can turn, Youre not going fast enough. Favorite caption: first car to 200 mph in the 1/4 mile, no parachute, drum brakes all the way around.. ..back when men were men. |
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#3 |
MOVE OVER
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Warrensburg, MO
Posts: 5,470
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
I always do the basics first.. you had the started tested, good and replaced the solenoid, but did you get a load test done on the battery? also check your ground wire, make sure it is good, and tight, how are the cables?
I've done a lot of replacing before, and found out it had a bad cell on the battery, and the lights and everything worked... I dont know what box you are talking about, can you post a picture of it? good luck, there are many more on this board, much smarter than me, than can help...
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No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newbern, Tn.
Posts: 36
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
Mostly original truck and wiring. No alarm system. The box I'm speaking of is right against the wiper motor. When you look under the dash it is on the passenger side of the wiper motor and it does have a few wires plugged into it.
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
stupid question, but is the truck in park? try holding the shift lever all the way up and try to start it.
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Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 •360 w/46RE •392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB •350 w/ 700R4 •3.73 posi •PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Rosa, Ca
Posts: 586
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
sounds like low voltage to me, either that or your starter is going out. due yourself a favor and smack the starter with a big hammer then give it a turn. half the time Ive ever done this, its worked when the starter was to blam
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My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Rosa, Ca
Posts: 586
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
he is getting a click which tells me the starter has power and the neutral safety switch is not to blam.
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My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
i only posed this because it happened to me. besides, he's getting a click inside the cab, not at the starter.
__________________
Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 •360 w/46RE •392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB •350 w/ 700R4 •3.73 posi •PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ |
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#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
try cleaning both ends of both battery cables and where the four ends connect to
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Rosa, Ca
Posts: 586
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
yea i just read it again and noticed that. still sounds like the starter. even though he had it checked out, i think its still a good bet the starter is the problem. He is getting power to the starter jumping it and its still not turning over. even thou it tested good at the store it doesnt mean that the solenoid isnt going out. starters solenoids are weird about working when they want, when they get old and warn out. thats why the hammer method works. Voltage has a lot to do with this too. if the starter tester at the auto parts store is putting out a higher amount of voltage the solenoid might engage. Low voltage could equally be the cause for his problem. either way a good whack to the starter is a must!
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My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht Last edited by tranz am; 03-24-2009 at 02:42 PM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Goose Creek SC
Posts: 161
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
It could also be that the starter is bound up and may need to be shimed. It works well when you bench test it but when you install it the clearence between the flywheel and starter gear is too close and that will cause the problem. Try loosing the bolts about one or two turns and see if that helps. Been down this road, created a few new cuss words and got the t-shirt.
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#12 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ben Wheeler, TX
Posts: 104
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
If you have no power at the purple wire when the switch is on that is good. If you have no power to the purple wire when the switch is in the start position, that is bad. Check the connection point at the back of the ignition switch to see if there is power to the purple wire when the switch is in the start position. If not, the problem is in the ignition switch or the power to the ignition switch. If the switch is bad, it won't do any good to run a wire from the back of the switch to the solenoid. I have had more than one ignition swith burn up internatlly, especially on the start circuit.
trying to start by shorting across at the solenoid is not always a good indication. Sometimes you think you have a good short from the power post to the purple post when you don't. The click you are hearing is probably the switch for the windshield washer. They are bad about sticking, so when you turn on the power they close and when you turn off the power they open. Click. Papa Smurf
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72 Sierra Grande 2500 BB 72 Sierra 2500, 42K miles, factory buckets 72 Cheyenne 20 72 Chevy SWB, Factory BB, Leaf Spring Last edited by Papa Smurf; 03-24-2009 at 04:21 PM. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Silverdale, WA
Posts: 263
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
I just went through this swapping engines. If your solenoid has 3 studs on it, try the ignition (purple wire) to the stud towards the engine. That's just a quick check. It wouldn't start to turn it over at all with that wire hooked up backwards
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newbern, Tn.
Posts: 36
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Re: Truck Won't Start With Key -- Help!
UPDATE:
Tranz Am was right on the money. I was about to flip my lid having tried everything but decided to just bite the bullet and buy a new starter. Put the new one on and it works like a champ!! Thanks guys for all your ideas and input. It's much appreciated. But that starter testing good to begin with is what caused me alot of unnecessary headache. I will remember this in the future. Again, thanks to all. |
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